Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) said former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte played a central role in the deaths of thousands of people during his anti-drug campaign, urging judges to allow the case against him to proceed to trial. The developments were reported by Reuters.
Speaking at the opening of pre-trial hearings in The Hague, prosecutor Mame Niang said Duterte’s so-called war on drugs led to the killing of thousands of civilians, including children. He described the former president as “pivotal” to the alleged crimes and called for the charges to be confirmed.
Duterte faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity. Prosecutors say the charges cover dozens of victims but represent only a fraction of the broader death toll linked to the campaign.
Under ICC procedures, judges must first confirm that sufficient evidence exists before the case can move to a full trial.
Defense calls charges politically motivated
Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, argued that the case is politically driven. He said the former president maintains his innocence and that his tough rhetoric was intended to deter crime, not to promote unlawful killings.
“Duterte’s rhetoric was meant to instill fear and respect for the law,” Kaufman said, asking the court to dismiss the charges.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested and transferred to The Hague in March last year. Prosecutors allege he created, funded and armed so-called death squads to target suspected drug dealers and users. Duterte has consistently said he instructed police to use lethal force only in self-defense.
Outside the ICC building, opponents gathered to demand accountability. Protesters chanted calls for justice, and several activists said they hoped the charges would be confirmed.
Cristina Palabay of the human rights alliance Karapatan told Reuters she was confident the case would move forward. Sheerah Escudero, whose brother was killed during the anti-drug campaign, said she believed Duterte would not evade accountability.
Duterte, 80, is not attending the hearings. His defense team has cited cognitive decline as a reason for his absence. However, ICC judges previously ruled that he is fit to stand trial.
After the hearings conclude, the judges have up to 60 days to determine whether the evidence supports proceeding to trial.
