The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday (September 22) publicly released the charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, all of which are categorized as “crimes against humanity.”
The ICC prosecutor had filed the charges in July, but the document was only made public on Monday with several redactions. The three charges he faces are all classified as crimes against humanity: first, his alleged tolerance of vigilante killings in Davao City and surrounding areas while serving as mayor.
The second charge involves his public endorsement of “high-value target” killings during his presidency.
The third charge pertains to Duterte’s nationwide implementation of the “barangay clearance operations,” targeting and executing low-level criminals as well as attempted murder cases.
Duterte is currently detained by the International Criminal Court and is set to stand trial in The Hague, Netherlands.
At 80 years old, Duterte has held various political positions, including Vice Mayor of Davao City (November 2011 to June 2013), Mayor of Davao City (June 2013 to June 2016), and President of the Philippines (June 2016 to March 2019).
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated that between November 2011 and March 2019, Duterte acted as an indirect accomplice alongside other perpetrators, using violent means, including murder, to “eliminate” alleged criminals and drug-related individuals.
According to the charges, Duterte, in his capacity as mayor, collaborated with other accomplices, including law enforcement officials, to establish a power structure, indirectly controlling both the Davao City police force and non-police vigilantes (referred to as DDS) to carry out killings, totaling hundreds of murders.
The charges outline how Duterte and his accomplices utilized “DDS” as a tool for their murder schemes, where anyone disobeying orders could be killed or disposed of if perceived to oppose or threaten the plan, even for minor infractions.
Duterte and his accomplices held significant control over “DDS,” leaving the vigilantes with no choice but to comply. They selectively recruited trusted and easily manipulated individuals into “DDS,” with Duterte himself personally recruiting some vigilantes, using personal relationships or debts to control them and ensure the execution of killings.
After becoming president in 2016, Duterte appointed accomplices to high-ranking national positions, establishing a nationwide network similar to “DDS,” involving thousands of murders and violent crimes.
During his political tenure, Duterte crafted a system to shield these vigilantes from investigation or prosecution, incentivizing police officers and vigilantes to carry out killings through financial rewards and promotions. He openly authorized, tolerated, and encouraged the killings of alleged criminals as both mayor and president, even publicly naming “high-value targets” leading to the deaths of specific individuals.
Moreover, he would temporarily revoke authorizations when necessary to appease the public.
The prosecutor highlighted that Duterte was fully aware that this “scheme” would result in violent crimes, including murder, yet he intentionally participated in and actively promoted it without cessation. These violent acts were not isolated or sporadic incidents but rather meticulously planned and organized acts of violence with a constant pattern against specific groups.