ICC Reveals Poor Deliberately Targeted in Duterte Drug War Operations
THE HAGUE, Netherlands - International Criminal Court prosecutors unveiled disturbing details about former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign, revealing that law enforcement deliberately targeted impoverished communities because they lacked resources to seek legal recourse.
During Tuesday's confirmation of charges hearing, prosecution trial lawyer Edward Jeremy presented testimony from insider witnesses who were privy to police instructions during the Duterte administration.
Targeting the Vulnerable
One witness revealed the calculated nature of Oplan Tokhang operations, stating that "the ones that we had to do the TokHang operation on had to be poor - those who do not have the means to file a complaint or to complain."
This strategic targeting of vulnerable populations represents a systematic approach that prioritized victims who could not challenge police actions through legal channels.
Benjamin Visda Case Exposed
The prosecution presented compelling evidence regarding Benjamin Visda's killing, contradicting official police reports of nanlaban (fighting back). CCTV footage showed Visda being forced onto a motorcycle between two officers before his death.
A witness testified: "The victim was lying on the street in handcuffs and was dead. He'd been shot in the head seven or eight times." The official report falsely claimed Visda snatched an officer's weapon while handcuffed and shot at police.
"This narrative is false. Benjamin Visda did not fight back. He was murdered," Jeremy declared.
The PRRD Death List
Prosecutors revealed that Duterte's narco-list functioned as a "dead list," with those named marked for elimination. An insider witness testified: "If you are in the list, you will be the subject for police operations. And most of the time, the people on the list are killed."
The case of late Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa illustrated this pattern. Excel sheets showed "neutralized" marked beside his name only after his death in jail, not upon arrest.
Massive Spike in Police Killings
Expert testimony revealed a 1,600% increase in police killings in Bulacan province and a 598% nationwide surge since Duterte assumed office. One witness described the operations as "hunting season, a killing spree."
The prosecution cited a single night in 2017 when 32 people died in Bulacan during "one time big time" operations.
Defense Maintains Position
Former Duterte legal adviser Salvador Panelo defended the administration's actions, insisting drug suspects "will never allow yourself to be arrested" and dismissing ICC jurisdiction over Philippine affairs.
The proceedings continue as the international court examines evidence of systematic extrajudicial killings that disproportionately affected the nation's most vulnerable communities.