The Hague, Netherlands — Judges at the International Criminal Court have confirmed crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the deadly anti-drug campaign carried out during his time in office.
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel said there were “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte was responsible for dozens of killings linked to operations conducted first during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. Duterte, 81, has denied all allegations.
The court’s 50-page ruling stated that Duterte “developed, disseminated and implemented” a policy aimed at neutralizing suspected criminals. Prosecutors allege that police officers and hired gunmen carried out killings beginning in 2011, motivated by financial rewards or coercion.
Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told pretrial hearings that the killings evolved into what he described as a “perverse form of competition” among perpetrators.
Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency vary significantly. Official police figures cite more than 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups place the number as high as 30,000. Prosecutors said the confirmation of charges marks a key step toward accountability.
Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Nick Kaufman, criticized the ruling, arguing it relies on unverified testimonies from self-confessed perpetrators acting as witnesses. A date for the trial has not yet been scheduled.
Duterte has waived his right to attend hearings in person. Judges previously ruled he is fit to stand trial following concerns about his health. He was arrested in the Philippines last year and transferred to The Hague, where the ICC is based.
In the Philippines, families of victims welcomed the court’s decision. Randy delos Santos, whose nephew was killed during a police operation in 2017, said the ruling offers a chance for long-overlooked victims to be heard.
Human rights advocates also welcomed the development. Human Rights Watch said the trial could reinforce the principle that accountability applies regardless of position or power.
The ICC first opened a preliminary examination into the killings in 2018. Shortly afterward, Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the court, a move widely criticized by rights groups. However, ICC judges have ruled that the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
An appeals chamber recently rejected a bid by Duterte’s legal team to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds. Separately, the court disqualified chief prosecutor Karim Khan from involvement in the case due to a perceived conflict of interest linked to his previous work representing victims.
The proceedings mark a significant moment for international justice and could set a precedent for holding national leaders accountable for alleged human rights violations.
With reports from Reuters
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