ICC Confirms Crimes Against Humanity Charges For Duterte Over Philippines Drug Killings
The case traces back to Rodrigo Duterte's self-styled "war on drugs" that began when he was mayor of Davao in 2011. As president from 2016 to 2022 he broadened the campaign nationwide. Human rights groups and victims' families long said the effort relied on police and hired killers to carry out extrajudicial slayings.
That campaign drew international scrutiny and led to a formal International Criminal Court investigation. Prosecutors say police and hit-squad members killed people at Duterte's behest. They say some operatives treated the murders as a "perverse form of competition" to rack up body counts. ICC judges issued a unanimous 50-page decision and found "substantial grounds" to believe Duterte is responsible for dozens of murders tied to a policy to "neutralize" alleged criminals.
Duterte, now 81, was arrested in the Philippines last year and flown to The Hague. He has waived his right to appear at hearings and was recently found fit to stand trial after a health-related delay. Defense lawyer Nick Kaufman attacked the ruling as unreliable, saying it rested on "uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers" acting as cooperating witnesses.
The International Criminal Court has now confirmed crimes against humanity charges against Duterte covering killings from his 2011 mayoral term and his 2016-2022 presidency. Victims' families in the Philippines welcomed the confirmation, saying it finally allows unnamed victims' stories to be told. Relatives such as Randy delos Santos spoke publicly about relief and hope for accountability. A trial in The Hague will follow, presenting a major test of international justice against a former head of state.
đ Key Facts
- ICC judges issued a unanimous 50-page decision finding 'substantial grounds' to believe former president Rodrigo Duterte is responsible for dozens of murders tied to a policy to 'neutralize' alleged criminals, confirming crimes against humanity charges and moving the case toward trial.
- The confirmed charges cover killings beginning in 2011 when Duterte was mayor of Davao and continuing during his 2016â2022 presidency.
- Prosecutors allege police and hit-squad members carried out killings at Duterte's behest, sometimes treating the murders as a 'perverse form of competition.'
- Duterte, now 81, was arrested in the Philippines, flown to The Hague, has waived his right to appear at hearings, and was recently found fit to stand trial after a health-related delay.
- Defense lawyer Nick Kaufman criticized the ruling, saying it relies on 'uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers' who are acting as cooperating witnesses.
- Victims' families in the Philippines welcomed the decision, with relatives such as Randy delos Santos saying it finally allows unnamed victims' stories to be told.
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- Judges issued a 50-page decision unanimously finding 'substantial grounds' to believe Duterte is responsible for dozens of murders tied to a policy to 'neutralize' alleged criminals.
- The confirmed charges cover killings starting in 2011 when Duterte was mayor of Davao, as well as during his 2016-2022 presidency.
- Prosecutors describe police and hit squad members allegedly killing at Duterte's behest, sometimes treating the murders as a 'perverse form of competition.'
- Duterte, now 81, was arrested in the Philippines last year and flown to The Hague, has waived his right to appear at hearings, and was recently found fit to stand trial after a health-based delay.
- Defense lawyer Nick Kaufman attacks the ruling as relying on 'uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers' acting as cooperating witnesses.
- Victims' families in the Philippines publicly welcomed the decision, with relatives like Randy delos Santos saying it finally allows unnamed victims' stories to be told.