ICC Names Duterte Co-Perpetrators in Crimes Against Humanity Case
The International Criminal Court has released a detailed document outlining charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, naming several high-ranking officials as alleged co-perpetrators in what prosecutors describe as a systematic campaign of extrajudicial killings.
The Document Containing the Charges (DCC), made public on February 13 in The Hague, reveals the scope of the ICC's case against the former president, spanning his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as the nation's chief executive.
Three Counts of Murder as Crimes Against Humanity
According to the ICC document, Duterte faces individual criminal responsibility across three distinct counts:
Count 1 involves murders in and around Davao City during his mayoral period, allegedly carried out by the Davao Death Squad (DDS). The charges cover 19 victims across nine incidents between 2013 and June 2016.
Count 2 focuses on the killing of "High-Value Targets" during his presidency, encompassing 14 victims in five incidents between July 2016 and July 2017.
Count 3 addresses murders and attempted murders during barangay clearance operations, involving 45 victims (43 murders and two attempted murders) across 35 incidents between July 2016 and September 2018.
Named Co-Perpetrators Include Current Senator
The ICC document identifies several prominent figures as co-perpetrators in what prosecutors term a "common plan" to neutralize alleged criminals through violent means.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who served as Davao City Police chief and later Philippine National Police chief, tops the list of named co-perpetrators. His inclusion underscores the political sensitivity of the case, given his current position in the Senate.
Other named individuals include former PNP chiefs Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, and Oscar Albayalde, along with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who served as Duterte's longtime aide and special assistant.
The document also names former Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, described as a lawyer for Duterte and DDS members, and former National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran.
Systematic Campaign Alleged
According to ICC prosecutors, the alleged crimes were part of a coordinated effort spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The document states that Duterte and his co-perpetrators "shared a common plan or agreement to 'neutralise' alleged criminals in the Philippines, including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production."
The charges allege that Duterte not only ordered the killings but also "induced" and "aided, abetted or otherwise assisted" members of the DDS and what prosecutors call the "National Network" in committing these crimes.
The ICC document emphasizes that Duterte held authority over these groups, first as Davao City mayor and head of the DDS, and later as President of the Philippines.
Legal Framework and Implications
The charges are brought under articles of the Rome Statute dealing with crimes against humanity, specifically murder. The document outlines various forms of criminal responsibility, including indirect co-perpetration, ordering and inducing, and aiding and abetting.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiayae Niang signed the document, which represents a significant step in the ICC's investigation into the Philippines' controversial anti-drug campaign.
The release of this detailed charging document marks a new phase in the international court's proceedings, providing unprecedented insight into the scope and nature of the allegations against the former president and his associates.
The case continues to test the Philippines' relationship with international legal institutions and raises questions about accountability for the thousands of deaths during Duterte's anti-drug operations.