ICC Opens Proceedings Against Duterte for War Crimes
The ICC prosecutors allege Duterte authorized at least 76 murders during his anti-drug campaign, with judges to decide if charges proceed to trial within 60 days.
- On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, ICC prosecutors began submitting evidence at the confirmation hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte, with the week-long hearings running until February 27 and submissions due February 24.
- Prosecutors allege the prosecution says Duterte created the Davao Death Squad and used city structures to support it, establishing a chain of command from him to DDS members and handlers.
- A former Davao Death Squad member testified Duterte was present and said their job was to kill criminals, with clips of initiation and arming shown at the ICC hearing.
- Duterte faces formal counts alleging dozens of incidents and victims, with three counts of crimes against humanity covering 49 incidents and at least 76 victims; the court's 60-day decision window follows Friday's hearing, and Duterte is absent while his defence contests the case.
- Prosecutors highlighted Duterte's boasts and allegations of nearly 1,500 deaths, with Nicholls stating `The Davao Model was murder, not being tough on crime legally as my friend said`.
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171 Articles
Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte's 'war on drugs' under global scrutiny at ICC: Key facts
Delve into the ICC proceedings against former Philippine president Duterte, accused of orchestrating violent anti-drug campaigns. Learn about the charges, evidence, and the potential impact on international accountability.
Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, say ICC prosecutors
THE HAGUE: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was “pivotal” in the murder of thousands of people during his reign, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday, as they pushed for his trial to go ahead. The prosecutors at the Hague-based war crimes court have charged Duterte with three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, involving dozens of victims that accusers say were only a fraction of the real deat…
For more than eight years, Nanette has been waiting for Rodrigo Duterte to pay
Duterte’s case in the International Criminal Court stems from his “war on drugs”, a deadly crackdown on perceived criminals initiated during his time as mayor of Davao City from 1988, and expanded nationwide when he was elected president in 2016.
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