Duterte's drug war faces judgement at the ICC

"For the families of those killed in the drug war watching tearfully from the public gallery, this hearing marked the first real step towards justice after years of violence, denial, and dehumanisation of their loved ones. As a Filipino lawyer and counsel for the victims, Joel Butuyan, told the court, Truth is the antidote to the virus of impunity."

"The case focuses on 49 incidents of alleged murder and attempted murder, involving 78 victims, including children, between November 2011 and March 2019, when the ICC still had jurisdiction over the Philippines. In March 2018, soon after the former ICC prosecutor announced a preliminary inquiry into the situation of the Philippines, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the court's membership."

"A three-judge panel—women from Romania, Mexico and Benin—heard arguments from prosecutors, victims' counsel, and Duterte's defence lawyer. Their task was not to determine guilt, but to assess whether there is sufficient evidence for the case against Duterte to proceed to trial."

The International Criminal Court held a hearing in late February to confirm charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity committed during the drug war. A three-judge panel assessed whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial, focusing on 49 incidents involving 78 victims between November 2011 and March 2019. The case covers Duterte's tenure as Davao City mayor and his presidency after 2016. Prosecutors emphasized these incidents represent only a fraction of thousands of killings attributed to police and hired hitmen. The hearing provided rare accountability for victims' families after years of violence and denial, occurring as the Philippines withdrew from ICC jurisdiction in 2019.

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