Duterte, key officials accused in “systematic” killings

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has identified several senior Philippine police and government officials as alleged co-perpetrators in its case against former President Rodrigo Duterte over killings linked to the anti-drug campaign.

In a newly released, less-redacted Document Containing the Charges (DCC), prosecutors alleged that Duterte and his close associates carried out a “common plan” to neutralize suspected criminals through violent means, including murder, first in Davao City and later across the Philippines.

Officials named in the alleged plan

The prosecution listed several high-ranking officials who allegedly participated in the plan at different stages, including:

• Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa

• Former senior police official Vicente Danao

• Former PNP chief Camilo Cascolan

• Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde

• Former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go

• Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Dante Gierran

• Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isidro Lapeña

• Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II

• Other unnamed police and government officials

  
  

According to the prosecution, these individuals were part of a structure that allegedly controlled police units, hitmen, and other actors who carried out killings of people suspected of involvement in drugs and other crimes.

Two-phase alleged operation

The charges describe two major phases of the alleged campaign:

Davao period (2011–2016)Prosecutors claim that a group known as the Davao Death Squad (DDS), composed of police officers and non-police hitmen, carried out killings of alleged criminals under a hierarchical structure, with Duterte at the top as mayor.

Presidential period (2016–2019)After Duterte became president, the prosecution alleges that the same system expanded nationwide, involving police, anti-drug agents, investigators, corrections officials, and non-police assets.Prosecutors claim the network identified targets, conducted killings, provided incentives, and shielded perpetrators from prosecution.

Crimes against humanity charges

The ICC has charged Duterte with crimes against humanity, particularly murder, covering the period from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.

The charges include:

• Killings in Davao City during Duterte’s time as mayor

• Murders of so-called “high-value targets” nationwide

• Killings during anti-drug operations in multiple province

  
  

In total, the charges cover 76 murders and two attempted murders, although prosecutors say the actual number of victims during the campaign was far higher.

Legal theory of the prosecution

The ICC alleges that Duterte and his associates acted as:

• Indirect co-perpetrators

• Participants in a coordinated structure of power

• Individuals who had joint control over the alleged crimes

  
  

Prosecutors argue that the accused shared a common plan, exercised control over perpetrators, and used chains of command, incentives, and institutional protection to carry out the killings.

Presumption of innocence

Under ICC procedures, all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The case is currently at the pre-trial stage, where judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.