MANILA, Philippines — As the International Criminal Court (ICC) began its confirmation of charges hearing on February 23, 2026, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima delivered a privilege speech reminding the public of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s own admissions regarding “death squads.”
Duterte, who has been under ICC custody since March 2025, faces charges of crimes against humanity (mass murder) related to his controversial “war on drugs.”
Key Points from De Lima’s Speech:
- Confessions of Violence: De Lima highlighted that Duterte has openly bragged about personally killing suspected criminals during his time as Davao City mayor and encouraging police to follow his lead.
- Naming Names: She recalled Duterte’s 2024 testimony where he admitted that his former police chiefs—including now-Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—were “heads of death squads.”
- The “Seven-Man” Squad: De Lima cited Duterte’s specific admission of forming a seven-man hit squad composed of “gangsters” rather than police to avoid administrative issues for law enforcement officers.
- Pattern of Impunity: The lawmaker argued that the drug war deaths were not random acts but part of a systematic pattern marked by public pronouncements of lethal force and recurring “nanlaban” (fought back) narratives.
ICC Context:
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I is currently holding a four-day session to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial. While Duterte is in custody, the court granted his request to skip the actual sessions after he continued to refuse to recognize its jurisdiction.
De Lima concluded that the “asymmetry of knowledge” and the culture of impunity under the previous administration must be addressed to ensure that such acts are never repeated in the Philippines.