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ICC Prosecutors Lay Out Case Vs Duterte Over Drug War Killings
Screengrab from ICC
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday formally presented their case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, alleging that his administration’s drug war was “widespread and systematic” and amounted to crimes against humanity.
During the confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague, ICC prosecution lawyer Robynne Croft argued before Pre-Trial Chamber I that the anti-drug campaign constituted an “attack against a civilian population.” She said the killings were carried out under what prosecutors described as a state policy aimed at neutralizing alleged criminals through violent means, including murder.
According to the prosecution, the campaign operated under a so-called “common plan” and was implemented through a nationwide network that included law enforcement personnel, non-police actors, and alleged hired gunmen.
To demonstrate the scale of the killings, prosecutors presented a map showing locations of incidents, including 76 murders cited under the first three counts of charges. Croft said these incidents alone meet the legal threshold for a widespread and systematic attack.
The prosecution said its case is backed by data sets, insider witness testimony, expert analysis, and statements from Philippine state agencies.
Croft also revisited Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao City from 2012 to 2015, saying at least 274 extrajudicial killings were recorded based on public reports. She added that the actual number may be higher, citing a witness who claimed that between 1,500 and 2,000 bodies were buried in Laud Quarry and other alleged dumping sites.
When Duterte became president in 2016, prosecutors argued that the scale of the campaign expanded nationwide. An independent organization recorded at least 5,823 anti-drug killings during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
“The data show that the attack during the presidential period was widespread,” Croft told the chamber, noting that it occurred across the country over several years and resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
Prosecutors said Duterte is individually criminally responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for three counts of crimes against humanity. These include alleged murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral term, killings of high-value targets during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders during village clearance operations.
The prosecution argued that alleged targets were pre-identified through drug watch lists, including a so-called PRRD list and local police lists. Operations were often justified using “nanlaban” narratives, portraying the killings as acts of self-defense.
Among the high-profile deaths cited were Rolando Espinosa Sr., Reynaldo Parojinog, and 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.
Video clips of Duterte’s past speeches were also played in court. Croft said these statements show there was a policy to neutralize alleged criminals by violent means. She argued that Duterte made essential contributions to the alleged crimes by offering financial rewards, promoting officers linked to operations, maintaining what prosecutors described as a climate of impunity, and publicly encouraging killings.
Several Filipino officials were also named as alleged co-perpetrators, including Senator Ronald dela Rosa and former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Prosecutors presented videos of their public remarks, which they said reflected support for the alleged common plan.
Representing the victims, lawyer Gilbert Andres described the proceedings as a first step toward truth and justice for affected families.
The confirmation hearing is scheduled to continue on February 26, when the chamber will further assess whether the charges should proceed to trial.
During the confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague, ICC prosecution lawyer Robynne Croft argued before Pre-Trial Chamber I that the anti-drug campaign constituted an “attack against a civilian population.” She said the killings were carried out under what prosecutors described as a state policy aimed at neutralizing alleged criminals through violent means, including murder.
According to the prosecution, the campaign operated under a so-called “common plan” and was implemented through a nationwide network that included law enforcement personnel, non-police actors, and alleged hired gunmen.
To demonstrate the scale of the killings, prosecutors presented a map showing locations of incidents, including 76 murders cited under the first three counts of charges. Croft said these incidents alone meet the legal threshold for a widespread and systematic attack.
The prosecution said its case is backed by data sets, insider witness testimony, expert analysis, and statements from Philippine state agencies.
Croft also revisited Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao City from 2012 to 2015, saying at least 274 extrajudicial killings were recorded based on public reports. She added that the actual number may be higher, citing a witness who claimed that between 1,500 and 2,000 bodies were buried in Laud Quarry and other alleged dumping sites.
When Duterte became president in 2016, prosecutors argued that the scale of the campaign expanded nationwide. An independent organization recorded at least 5,823 anti-drug killings during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
“The data show that the attack during the presidential period was widespread,” Croft told the chamber, noting that it occurred across the country over several years and resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
Prosecutors said Duterte is individually criminally responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for three counts of crimes against humanity. These include alleged murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral term, killings of high-value targets during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders during village clearance operations.
The prosecution argued that alleged targets were pre-identified through drug watch lists, including a so-called PRRD list and local police lists. Operations were often justified using “nanlaban” narratives, portraying the killings as acts of self-defense.
Among the high-profile deaths cited were Rolando Espinosa Sr., Reynaldo Parojinog, and 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.
Video clips of Duterte’s past speeches were also played in court. Croft said these statements show there was a policy to neutralize alleged criminals by violent means. She argued that Duterte made essential contributions to the alleged crimes by offering financial rewards, promoting officers linked to operations, maintaining what prosecutors described as a climate of impunity, and publicly encouraging killings.
Several Filipino officials were also named as alleged co-perpetrators, including Senator Ronald dela Rosa and former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Prosecutors presented videos of their public remarks, which they said reflected support for the alleged common plan.
Representing the victims, lawyer Gilbert Andres described the proceedings as a first step toward truth and justice for affected families.
The confirmation hearing is scheduled to continue on February 26, when the chamber will further assess whether the charges should proceed to trial.
Feb 25, 2026
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