The International Criminal Court (ICC) commenced hearings Monday to determine whether to proceed with a full trial for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, focusing on allegations of crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s “war on drugs” and earlier, during his time as mayor of Davao City.
The pre-trial hearings, scheduled to last four days, will center on the prosecution’s case and the defense’s arguments regarding the ICC’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of the evidence. The ICC is investigating allegations that Duterte and other officials were responsible for thousands of unlawful killings between November 2011 and March 2019.
The investigation was initially paused in 2021 but resumed in January 2023 after the ICC determined that the Philippine government was not genuinely investigating the alleged crimes. Amnesty International has described the confirmation of charges hearing as a “crucial opportunity for justice” for victims of the drug war, noting the alleged failures of domestic investigations.
The case centers on the “Davao Death Squad,” a vigilante group allegedly responsible for extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s long tenure as mayor of Davao City. The ICC is also examining the widespread killings that occurred during the national “war on drugs” launched after Duterte became president in 2016. Critics allege that the campaign encouraged police and vigilantes to kill drug suspects with impunity.
In the Philippines, supporters of Duterte have rallied around the former president, with displays of support appearing in his hometown of Davao City. A large tarpaulin with the message “Please Pray for PRRD” – referring to Duterte’s initials – was reportedly displayed outside the office of his son, Paolo Duterte, a congressman representing the 1st District of Davao City.
The ICC prosecutor’s office has previously stated it seeks to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial, focusing on the gravity of the alleged crimes, the scale of the killings, and the alleged involvement of state actors. The hearings will involve the presentation of evidence and legal arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
As of Monday afternoon, the ICC has not released any statements regarding the proceedings. The outcome of the hearings will determine whether the ICC moves forward with a full trial, potentially leading to arrest warrants and international pressure on Duterte and other individuals implicated in the alleged crimes.
