Duterte ICC Trial: Prosecutors Allege Encouragement of Drug War Killings
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders through a system of financial rewards and intimidation, prosecutors told judges at the International Criminal Court on Monday as pretrial hearings began. The court is examining allegations that Duterte oversaw crimes against humanity during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president, stemming from the brutal “war on drugs” he launched.
Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang asserted that police and members of vigilante groups carried out dozens of murders at Duterte’s direction, motivated by the prospect of payment or fear of becoming targets themselves. “For some, killing reached the level of a perverse form of competition,” Niang stated during his opening remarks, according to the Associated Press.
The hearings, which began on February 23, 2026, are not a trial but a confirmation of charges hearing. Judges will assess the evidence presented by prosecutors to determine if there is sufficient basis to proceed to a full trial. They have 60 days to reach a decision.
Duterte, 80, did not appear at the hearing, having waived his right to be present. Judges previously determined he was fit to stand trial after postponing an earlier hearing due to health concerns. His defense team, led by Nick Kaufman, argued that the prosecution was selectively using “bombastic rhetoric” and that Duterte’s words were not intended to incite violence. Kaufman maintained Duterte’s innocence, stating he “stands behind his legacy resolutely.”
In Manila, dozens of activists and relatives of those killed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign gathered to watch a live stream of the proceedings. Randy delos Santos, a volunteer with a charity supporting victims’ families, expressed hope that the ICC would deliver justice. His 17-year-old nephew was killed in a police raid in 2017, a case that resulted in a rare conviction of police officers for murder.
The ICC investigation was launched in September 2021, prompting Duterte to announce the Philippines’ withdrawal from the court in March 2018. Human rights groups argued this move was intended to shield him from accountability. However, the ICC has maintained jurisdiction, asserting that countries cannot evade justice for crimes already under consideration by withdrawing from the Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty. An appeal of that decision is currently pending.
Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency vary significantly. Philippine National Police figures report over 6,000 deaths, whereas human rights organizations estimate the number could be as high as 30,000.
The arrest of Duterte in Manila in March 2025, and his subsequent surrender to the ICC, has drawn criticism from supporters, who accuse the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Of undermining Philippine sovereignty. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who has announced her intention to run for president in 2028, has also voiced opposition to the ICC’s involvement. Amnesty International has urged the Philippine government to cooperate with the ICC investigation and to pursue domestic accountability for the killings.