ICC Names Duterte's Co-Perpetrators in Crimes Against Humanity Charges
The International Criminal Court has released a detailed document naming former President Rodrigo Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators in charges related to crimes against humanity, marking a significant development in the international legal proceedings against the former leader.
The Document Containing the Charges, released by the ICC on February 13, outlines three specific counts against Duterte, spanning his tenure as Davao City mayor and Philippine president from November 2011 to March 2019.
Three Counts of Criminal Responsibility
The charges include murders committed by the Davao Death Squad during Duterte's mayoral period, killings of high-value targets during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders during barangay clearance operations nationwide.
According to the ICC document, Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan to "neutralise" alleged criminals, including those perceived to be associated with drug use, sale, or production, through violent crimes including murder.
Key Co-Perpetrators Named
The document identifies several high-ranking officials as co-perpetrators, including Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, former PNP chief who served as Davao City Police chief during Duterte's mayoral term. Also named is Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who served as Duterte's personal aide and special assistant for nearly two decades.
Other co-perpetrators include former PNP chiefs Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, and Oscar Albayalde, along with former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who previously served as lawyer for Duterte and other alleged DDS members.
The charges also encompass former NBI Director Dante Gierran and former PDEA chief Isidro Lapeña, highlighting the breadth of alleged institutional involvement.
Legal Framework and Accountability
The ICC document states that Duterte "ordered members of the DDS and the National Network" to commit the crimes, exercising his authority as mayor and later as president. The prosecution argues that Duterte "induced" and "aided, abetted or otherwise assisted" in facilitating these crimes.
The charges span 78 victims across 49 incidents, including 19 victims during the Davao mayoral period, 14 high-value targets during the presidential period, and 45 victims in barangay clearance operations.
This development represents a crucial step in international accountability efforts, as the Philippines continues to grapple with the legacy of the controversial anti-drug campaign that defined much of Duterte's presidency.
The document was signed by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiayae Niang, lending official weight to these serious allegations against the former president and his associates.