THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — On Thursday, judges at the International Criminal Court confirmed charges of crimes against humanity against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. The charges stem from the deadly anti-drug crackdowns he allegedly oversaw during his time in office.
A three-judge panel unanimously concluded that there were “substantial grounds” to believe that Duterte was responsible for numerous murders, both during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president. This ruling emphasizes the gravity of the accusations brought against him.
At 80 years old, Duterte was arrested in the Philippines last year and has consistently denied the charges. The judges’ decision, which spans 50 pages, asserts that Duterte “developed, disseminated and implemented” a policy aimed to “neutralize” alleged criminals involved in the drug trade.
Prosecutors allege that both police and members of hit squads committed numerous murders following Duterte’s direction, often motivated by financial incentives or the desire to evade becoming targets themselves. During pretrial hearings in February, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang described the epidemic of killings, stating, "For some, killing reached the level of a perverse form of competition."
As of now, a date for the commencement of the trial has not been determined. Duterte's lead defense attorney, Nick Kaufman, maintained during February hearings that his client “stands behind his legacy resolutely,” emphasizing that Duterte maintains his innocence “absolutely.” Kaufman argued that the prosecution selectively highlighted instances of Duterte’s “bombastic rhetoric” and that his statements were never intended to incite violence.
The estimates for the death toll resulting from Duterte’s anti-drug campaign during his presidency vary significantly. The national police have reported more than 6,000 deaths, while human rights organizations claim the number could be as high as 30,000, illustrating the controversial nature of the government's actions during this period.
Duterte has opted not to attend any courtroom hearings, choosing to waive his right to appear. Last month, judges ruled that he was fit to stand trial, following a postponement of an earlier hearing due to concerns regarding his health.
ICC prosecutors initiated a preliminary investigation into the violent drug crackdowns in 2018. Subsequently, Duterte, who was still in office at the time, declared the Philippines' withdrawal from the court a month later, a move criticized by human rights advocates as an attempt to evade accountability. On Wednesday, appeals judges dismissed a request from Duterte’s legal team to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds, asserting that the court retained jurisdiction despite the Philippine exit.
This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Duterte's policies and the implications of his administration's anti-drug campaigns, with the international community closely monitoring the developments of the case.
