Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have unanimously confirmed charges of crimes against humanity against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, ruling that there are “substantial grounds” to proceed with prosecution.
In a 50-page decision delivered on Thursday, the three-judge panel found that Duterte allegedly “developed, disseminated and implemented” a policy aimed at “neutralizing” suspected criminals, resulting in dozens of killings during his time as mayor of Davao and later as president.
Duterte, who is currently 81, was arrested in the Philippines last year and transferred to The Hague, where he continues to deny all allegations against him.
Prosecutors argue that beginning in 2011, police officers and alleged hit squad members carried out killings under Duterte’s direction, with some reportedly motivated by financial rewards or fear of becoming targets themselves. During pretrial proceedings, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said the violence had, in some cases, become “a perverse form of competition.”
Official police figures place the death toll at over 6,000 during Duterte’s presidency, while human rights organisations estimate the number of fatalities could reach as high as 30,000.
The ruling has drawn strong reactions from victims’ families. Randy delos Santos, whose nephew Kian was killed in 2017, said the decision was “for all the victims who were never recognised as victims.”
Human rights advocates also welcomed the development. Maria Elena Vignoli said the trial would send a strong message that accountability applies to all individuals, regardless of position.
Duterte’s legal team, led by lawyer Nick Kaufman, criticised the ruling, arguing it relied on “uncorroborated statements of self-confessed murderers.”
The case proceeds despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, with appeals judges upholding the court’s jurisdiction. Duterte has recently been deemed fit to stand trial, although no trial date has yet been set.
Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has been disqualified from the case following concerns over a perceived conflict of interest linked to his previous legal work representing victims.