The International Criminal Court will try former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity for his role in a deadly anti-drug crackdown. A three-judge panel at the ICC confirmed that Duterte can stand trial. The charges relate to Duterte's alleged role in overseeing the crackdown while president from 2016 to 2022.
Judges said evidence shows that Duterte "developed, disseminated and implemented" a policy "to 'neutralize' alleged criminals." The panel said there were "substantial grounds" to support charges that Duterte was responsible for dozens of murders, first as mayor of Davao and later as president.
Human rights groups estimate 30,000 people were killed during Duterte's six years in office. The national police have reported 6,000 deaths. Amnesty International said police "followed unverified lists of people allegedly using or selling drugs, stormed into their homes and shot dead unarmed people, including those who posed no risk nor resisted the arrest." Suspects were often summarily executed without trial.
Prosecutors said police and vigilante squads carried out murders at Duterte's behest, motivated by promises of money, or to avoid becoming targets themselves.
Ritz Lee Santos, director for Amnesty International Philippines, said the ICC's confirmation of the charges represented a "historic moment for victims and international justice."
The 81-year-old Duterte denies the charges against him. He was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and brought to The Hague, where the ICC is headquartered. Duterte has waived his right to be present in the courtroom for any hearings. His lead defense lawyer Nick Kaufman told The Associated Press that the ICC decision "is based on the uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers acting as cooperating witnesses."
Earlier this week, appeals judges rejected a request from Duterte's legal team to throw out the case on the grounds that the court did not have jurisdiction because of the Philippine withdrawal from the ICC. Duterte's defense cited his poor health to prevent the trial, but the judges rejected this argument. Previous hearings had been postponed over health issues.
The International Criminal Court will try former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity for his role in a deadly anti-drug crackdown. A three-judge panel at the ICC confirmed that Duterte can stand trial. The charges relate to Duterte's alleged role in overseeing the crackdown while president from 2016 to 2022.
The Hague-based court stated that the evidence against Duterte is enough to proceed to trial, though a date has not been determined. Judges said evidence shows that Duterte "developed, disseminated and implemented" a policy "to 'neutralize' alleged criminals." The panel said there were "substantial grounds" to support charges that Duterte was responsible for dozens of murders, first as mayor of Davao and later as president.
Human rights groups estimate 30,000 people were killed during Duterte's six years in office. The national police have reported 6,000 deaths. Amnesty International said police "followed unverified lists of people allegedly using or selling drugs, stormed into their homes and shot dead unarmed people, including those who posed no risk nor resisted the arrest." Suspects were often summarily executed without trial.
Prosecutors said police and vigilante squads carried out murders at Duterte's behest, motivated by promises of money, or to avoid becoming targets themselves. Ritz Lee Santos, director for Amnesty International Philippines, said the ICC's confirmation of the charges represented a "historic moment for victims and international justice."
The 81-year-old Duterte denies the charges against him. He was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and brought to The Hague, where the ICC is headquartered. Duterte has waived his right to be present in the courtroom for any hearings. His lead defense lawyer Nick Kaufman told The Associated Press that the ICC decision "is based on the uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers acting as cooperating witnesses."
Earlier this week, appeals judges rejected a request from Duterte's legal team to throw out the case on the grounds that the court did not have jurisdiction because of the Philippine withdrawal from the ICC. Duterte's defense also failed to attempt preventing the trial by citing Duterte's poor health. Previous hearings had been postponed over health issues.
The confirmation of charges means the ICC trial will proceed, offering a chance for accountability for the thousands of alleged victims and potentially reshaping international justice dynamics.
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The article specifies that Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippine president, was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and brought to The Hague.