The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Wednesday that it is closely observing the latest developments in the Philippine Congress’s investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor stated that its ongoing investigation targets alleged crimes committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, in connection with Duterte’s controversial “War on Drugs.”
The ICC investigation follows recent testimonies, including those from retired police colonel Royina Garma, who claimed that Duterte had implemented a reward system for police involved in fatal operations against drug suspects—a claim Duterte has denied. During a recent Senate hearing, Duterte acknowledged a “death squad” of civilians, whom he referred to as “gangsters,” and admitted instructing police to encourage resistance from suspects to justify deadly force.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a vocal critic of Duterte, reported that transcripts from Senate hearings have been submitted to the ICC as part of the evidence.
The ICC highlighted that its investigation relies on diverse sources, including communications, international partnerships, civil society data, open-source information, and witness interviews. For confidentiality, the ICC declined to disclose specifics on its operational activities, citing concerns for the safety and security of victims and witnesses.
Government reports indicate that at least 6,200 people were killed in anti-drug operations from 2016 to 2021, though human rights organizations estimate the number may be as high as 30,000, factoring in alleged vigilante-style killings inspired by Duterte’s campaign.
Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC’s Rome Statute in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the country remains obligated to cooperate with the ICC for alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal.