By Blessing Nweke
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are set to begin presenting evidence Monday to support charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, outlining his alleged role in dozens of killings linked to his controversial war on drugs.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity stemming from deadly anti-drug crackdowns carried out during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as the country’s president. Prosecutors argue the campaign enabled widespread extrajudicial killings targeting suspected drug offenders.
Victims’ families and human rights groups welcomed Duterte’s March arrest, calling it a milestone in the pursuit of justice. Llore Pasco, whose two sons disappeared in 2017 and were later found dead with multiple gunshot wounds, said families had waited years for accountability.
The upcoming hearing is not a full trial but will allow prosecutors to outline the evidence supporting their case. Judges will then have 60 days to decide whether the charges should be confirmed. Duterte will not attend the proceedings at the Hague-based court after waiving his right to appear, describing the allegations as an “outrageous lie” and citing his age and declining health.
Supporters of Duterte have criticized the administration of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for cooperating with the court, arguing the tribunal lacks jurisdiction following the country’s withdrawal. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has also opposed the case and recently signaled plans to run for president in 2028.
The ICC first opened a preliminary investigation in 2018 into the anti-drug campaign. Estimated deaths during Duterte’s presidency range from more than 6,000 reported by police to as many as 30,000 cited by rights organizations, underscoring the scale of the allegations now before judges.
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