ICC Brings Case Against Duterte
On 22 September, the International Criminal Court (ICC) charged former President of The Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, with three counts of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege criminal responsibility as an “indirect co-perpetrator” on his part for dozens of murders carried out between 2013 and 2018 as part of his anti-drug crackdown.
The charges stem from killings carried out during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president. The ICC documents detail 76 murders attributed to operations against both alleged high-value targets and lower-level suspects.
Arrest and Detention in The Hague
The ICC issued a sealed arrest warrant on 7 March 2025, later made public on 11 March. Duterte was taken into custody in Manila on 12 March and transferred to The Hague the same day. He made his first court appearance via video link on 14 March.
Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to face ICC charges. He has been held at the ICC detention facility in the Netherlands since March.
From Mayor to President
The charges trace back to Duterte’s years as mayor of Davao City, where he allegedly oversaw the so-called Davao Death Squad. He is held responsible, through prosecutors, in 19 murders committed between 2013 and 2016.
As president, he supposedly masterminded 57 other killings carried out in operations against alleged drug traffickers and drug users from 2016 to 2018.
According to ICC pleadings, Duterte presided over a widespread and systematic campaign of violence against civilian populations, amounting to crimes against humanity. The judges found that he worked “jointly with and through other persons” in the identification and killing of suspected offenders.
He has previously admitted under oath that he directed a group of armed enforcers during his tenure as mayor.
Court Hearings Delayed
A confirmation of charges hearing was initially scheduled for September 2025, but was postponed after Duterte’s defense sought an adjournment. His lawyers argue he is unfit to stand trial, citing claims of cognitive decline.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber granted a limited delay while it reviews medical evidence and considers whether proceedings should continue.
Divided Response in the Philippines
Duterte’s detention has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters denounce the case as politically driven and linked to his family’s falling out with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Rights groups, meanwhile, call the ICC indictment a critical step toward justice for thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings.
Watch a video here:
@sbsnews_au Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 80-year-old is accused of being criminally responsible for dozens of murders that allegedly took place as part of his so-called war on drugs, during which thousands of small-time drug dealers, users and others were killed without trial. Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to be indicted by the ICC. ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said Duterte was an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the killings, which the court alleges were carried out by others, including police. Read more @sbsnews_au (link in bio).
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