The International Criminal Court (ICC) has publicly disclosed the criminal charges filed against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, detailing his alleged involvement in 49 incidents of murder and attempted murder tied to the country’s war on drugs. These acts, committed during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as President, are being prosecuted as crimes against humanity.
The redacted version of the “Document Containing the Charges,” dated July 4, 2025, was released on September 22—just one day before Duterte’s scheduled confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague. That hearing has since been postponed after his legal team claimed he was “not fit to stand trial.”
According to the document signed by ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, the prosecution alleges that the actual scale of victimization far exceeds the 78 named victims, pointing to the “widespread nature of the attack.”
Breakdown of Charges
Count 1 involves murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City, of the 19 victims of nine incidents between 2013 and around 2016, when Duterte was mayor, as an indirect co-perpetrator, and/or by ordering and/or inducing, and/or aiding and abetting.
Count 2 involves murder as a crime against humanity of ‘high-value targets’ in locations across the Philippines of the 14 victims of five incidents when Duterte was President between around 2016 and 2017, as an indirect co-perpetrator, and/or by ordering and/or inducing, and/or aiding and abetting.
Count 3 involves murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity in barangay clearance operations in locations across the Philippines of the 45 victims, 43 of which were killed, of Incidents 15 to 49, between when Duterte was President between around 2016 and 2018, as an indirect co-perpetrator, and/or by ordering and/or inducing, and/or aiding and abetting.
‘Network and Reward System’
The document outlines a “National Network” of perpetrators, including state actors such as officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), as well as non-police assets and hired hitmen. This network allegedly operated in a manner similar to the Davao Death Squad (DDS), executing a “Common Plan” to eliminate suspected criminals.
Some victims were reportedly listed in the “PRRD List” (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), categorized by tiers based on their perceived value. Police officers who eliminated targets on this list were allegedly rewarded through a covert payment system, with incentives ranging from ₱50,000 to ₱1 million depending on the target’s level.
The document asserts that the attacks were “widespread” and “systematic,” forming a consistent pattern of violence against civilians. (ZIA LUNA)
