Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte faces serious charges of crimes against humanity, alleging his direct involvement in the killings of at least 76 individuals. These accusations, revealed by the International Criminal Court (ICC), detail events that transpired during his presidency and prior tenure as mayor of Davao City.
The charges outline three distinct sets of killings. The first includes 19 victims who were killed while Duterte served as mayor from 2013 to around 2016. The second group consists of 14 individuals targeted in killings during the initial years of his presidency, specifically between 2016 and 2017. Finally, the third charge addresses the deaths of 43 people occurring during so-called “clearance operations” from 2016 to 2018.
On July 4, 2023, prosecutors submitted a 15-page charge sheet to the ICC, shedding light on these allegations. The charges assert that Duterte authorized and instructed “violent acts including murder” against alleged criminals, particularly targeting drug dealers and users.
Despite the severity of these charges, Duterte, along with his lawyer and family, has not publicly responded to the details released by the ICC. Throughout his presidency, he consistently denied any authorization of extrajudicial killings, even as he made public threats against drug suspects, encouraging police to resort to deadly force if they faced resistance.
In March, Philippine authorities arrested Duterte based on a warrant issued by the ICC, and he is currently detained at an ICC facility in the Netherlands. This arrest has provoked criticism from his supporters, who have condemned the administration of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, citing political rivalry as a factor in Duterte’s surrender to a court their supporters dispute.
A court hearing was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but it has been postponed. This delay allows judges time to consider arguments presented by Duterte’s legal team, which asserts that he is unfit to stand trial. The ongoing developments in this case continue to draw significant attention, both within the Philippines and internationally, as the implications of these charges unfold.
