The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has, in its latest court submission, named eight people—including current and former senior Philippine officials—alleging their involvement as co-perpetrators in killings during the country’s anti-drug operations.
According to a document signed by ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang on February 13, former president Rodrigo Duterte—currently in custody—and his alleged co-conspirators “shared a common plan,” which used violence to “neutralize” those suspected of being involved in drug activities, including through murder.
Those named include Senator Ronald Dela Rosa (nicknamed “Bato”), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Others named include several former top police and law enforcement officials, such as former police chief Oscar Albayalde and the late senior official Camilo Cascolan.
The document states that while Duterte served as Mayor of Davao City, the parties in question utilized local police forces and the so-called “Davao Death Squad” (DDS) to carry out killings of supposed criminals. Prosecutors allege that Duterte was “at the apex of the power structure” at the time, maintained actual control over police and related personnel, and that such killings required his approval.
Prosecutors further allege that after Duterte became president, this “common plan” was expanded nationwide, using command chains, money, and power to ensure that those carrying out orders would “automatically comply.”
In the same document, prosecutors accuse Duterte of criminal responsibility for three counts of “crimes against humanity”: killings during his mayoral term in Davao, targeted killings of high-value individuals during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders during so-called community-clearing operations.
Duterte was sent to the ICC detention center in The Hague, Netherlands on March 11, 2025, and is scheduled to attend a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23.
Those named include Senator Ronald Dela Rosa (nicknamed “Bato”), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Others named include several former top police and law enforcement officials, such as former police chief Oscar Albayalde and the late senior official Camilo Cascolan.
The document states that while Duterte served as Mayor of Davao City, the parties in question utilized local police forces and the so-called “Davao Death Squad” (DDS) to carry out killings of supposed criminals. Prosecutors allege that Duterte was “at the apex of the power structure” at the time, maintained actual control over police and related personnel, and that such killings required his approval.
Prosecutors further allege that after Duterte became president, this “common plan” was expanded nationwide, using command chains, money, and power to ensure that those carrying out orders would “automatically comply.”
In the same document, prosecutors accuse Duterte of criminal responsibility for three counts of “crimes against humanity”: killings during his mayoral term in Davao, targeted killings of high-value individuals during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders during so-called community-clearing operations.
Duterte was sent to the ICC detention center in The Hague, Netherlands on March 11, 2025, and is scheduled to attend a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23.