Duterte: ICC Investigates ‘Death Lists’ & Drug War Killings

Duterte Accused of Orchestrating Drug War Killings, ICC Hearings Begin

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun hearings into allegations that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte orchestrated widespread killings during his administration’s “war on drugs.” Prosecutors allege that Duterte personally drew up “death lists” and openly boasted about murders committed between 2013 and 2018, potentially involving at least 76 deaths.

The week-long proceedings at The Hague are not a trial, but a “confirmation of charges” hearing, designed to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to move forward with a full trial. Duterte is not present at the hearings, a move critics have labeled as cowardly.

ICC prosecutor Edward Jeremy presented searing testimony on Tuesday, alleging that individuals publicly named by Duterte as being involved in the drug trade frequently became victims of extrajudicial killings. Jeremy cited a witness claiming the “Duterte list” was “basically a death list,” and played a video of Duterte himself stating, “I am the sole person responsible for it all.”

The allegations extend to particularly disturbing cases, including claims that children were among the victims, with reports of their heads being wrapped in packing tape before being strangled.

While Philippine police report approximately 7,000 deaths related to the drug war, estimates from human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, as well as the ICC, suggest the actual number of fatalities could be as high as 30,000. A recent fact check refuted claims that the ICC had only counted 78 drug war deaths, confirming the higher estimates are still under investigation.

The prosecution alleges a “systematic” pattern of killings, with Duterte’s directive to “neutralize” suspects marking the beginning of the violence. The case centers on allegations of crimes against humanity, with investigators seeking to prove Duterte’s direct involvement in specific murders and attempted murders.

The ICC investigation has faced resistance from the Philippine government, which previously withdrew from the court. However, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member.

The hearings also highlighted the devastating impact of the drug war on families. Maria Espinosa, the mother of a drug war victim, was shown displaying a photograph of her late son before the start of the proceedings. Lawyers representing victims have argued that the war on drugs disproportionately targeted the poor, framing it as a “war against the poor” rather than a genuine effort to combat drug trafficking.

The case against Duterte could potentially lead to the first trial of a former Asian leader at the International Criminal Court. The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether the ICC moves forward with a full investigation and potential prosecution of the former Philippine president.