ICC Charges Former President Duterte with Crimes Against Humanity in Drug War Killings

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has revealed the criminal charges brought against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing him of involvement in 49 incidents of murder and attempted murder tied to his anti-drug campaign. These acts are categorized as crimes against humanity, spanning Duterte’s tenure both as mayor of Davao City and as the nation’s president.

On September 22, the ICC published a public redacted version of the “Document Containing the Charges,” dated July 4, 2025. This announcement came just one day prior to a scheduled confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague, which has since been deferred after Duterte’s defense counsel argued he was “not fit to stand trial.”

The document, signed by ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, states: "The Prosecution charges the murders and attempted murders below, although the actual scale of victimization during the charged period was significantly greater, as reflected in the widespread nature of the attack."

The charges are detailed in three counts:

• Count 1 addresses murders as crimes against humanity occurring in Davao City during Duterte’s mayoralty. It covers 19 victims across nine separate incidents between 2013 and approximately 2016. These are brought under articles 7(1)(a), 25(3)(a) (indirect co-perpetration), 25(3)(b) (ordering and/or inducing), and 25(3)(c) (aiding and abetting).

• Count 2 involves the murder of so-called “high-value targets” nationwide during Duterte’s presidency, encompassing 14 victims from five incidents between roughly 2016 and 2017. The same ICC articles as Count 1 apply.

• Count 3 covers murder and attempted murder in barangay clearance operations throughout the Philippines while Duterte was president. This count pertains to 45 victims—43 of whom were killed—in incidents numbered 15 to 49 from around 2016 to 2018. The charges cite articles 7(1)(a) and/or 25(3)(f), 25(3)(a), 25(3)(b), and 25(3)(c).

These charges underscore the extensive and systematic nature of alleged human rights violations linked to Duterte’s aggressive anti-drug policies, which have drawn widespread international condemnation. The proceedings remain pending as the court evaluates the defense’s claims regarding Duterte’s fitness for trial.