Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Charges for Crimes Against Humanity

Tue Sep 23 2025 16:50:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, accused of overseeing extrajudicial killings during his controversial drug war.

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, faces serious charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to his administration's intensified anti-drug campaign that allegedly resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. The charges, which include his role in the murders of individuals involved in drug-related activities, were publicly disclosed recently, marking a significant legal development against a former head of state.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The 80-year-old is accused of being criminally responsible for dozens of murders that allegedly took place as part of his so-called war on drugs, during which thousands of small-time drug dealers, users and others were killed without trial.

The ICC's charge sheet, which includes several redactions, dates from July but was only made public on Monday.

ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated that Duterte was an indirect co-perpetrator in the killings, which the court alleges were carried out by others, including police.

The first count laid against Duterte concerns his alleged involvement in the killings of 19 people in Davao City between 2013 and 2016 while he was mayor there.

The other two charges relate to times when he was serving as president of the Philippines, between 2016 and 2022, and launched his so-called war on drugs.

The second count pertains to the murders of 14 high-value targets across the country, while the third involves the murder and attempted murder of 45 individuals during village clearance operations.

Prosecutors indicated that Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators shared a common plan or agreement to 'neutralise' alleged criminals in the Philippines through violent crimes including murder.

He has not apologized for his brutal anti-drug crackdown, which is estimated to have led to over 6,000 deaths, although activist groups suggest the actual death toll could be much higher.

Rodrigo Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to be indicted by the ICC and the first suspect to be flown to The Hague for trial in over three years. Despite facing serious health issues, he was re-elected as mayor of Davao earlier in May, with his son continuing to serve as acting mayor.

Supporters of Duterte have claimed that the ICC's actions are politically motivated, pointing out tensions between Duterte's family and the current presidential administration under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.