27/09/2025
𝗜𝗖𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲, 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 '𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰' 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗛
𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗔, 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 - The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has filed a detailed pre-confirmation brief alleging that former president Rodrigo Duterte and his key appointees, including former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now-Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, directed a “widespread and systematic attack” against civilians as part of a state-sanctioned campaign of murder and violence.
According to the 78-page document made public on Thursday (Manila time), Dela Rosa played a central role in implementing what became known as “Duterte’s War on Drugs,” a policy the prosecution said was designed to “neutralize” alleged criminals through extrajudicial killings.
The brief alleges that Dela Rosa, a longtime ally of Duterte from Davao City, was appointed PNP chief on the day of Duterte’s inauguration, June 30, 2016. On that same day, he issued a pre-drafted circular, PNP CMC 16-2016, formally launching “Project Double Barrel” – the national anti-illegal drugs campaign modeled on the so-called “Davao Model.”
The prosecution cites a televised interview from June 3, 2016, in which Dela Rosa promised to implement a “scaled up” version of the Davao strategy, stating: “If someone fights back, they’ll die. If nobody fights back, we’ll make them fight back. Produce blood. Instill fear.”
On May 18, 2016, he reportedly told reporters: “Killings in the name of drugs. This is really about killings in the name of drugs. So you drug lords out there, get ready because I’ll crush you.”
Broader allegations against Duterte and co-perpetrators
The prosecution accuses Duterte and a group of co-perpetrators of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.
The charges cover two periods: Duterte’s time as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City (Nov. 1, 2011 – June 30, 2016), and his presidency (June 30, 2016 – March 16, 2019).
During the “mayoral period,” Duterte was accused of establishing and overseeing the “Davao Death Squad” (DDS), which carried out hundreds of killings of alleged criminals. The prosecution claims Duterte’s personal approval was required for each killing and that he provided weapons, salaries, and protection to hitmen.
As president, Duterte allegedly expanded this system nationwide through a “National Network” of police, officials, and assets.
The prosecution details 49 specific incidents across three counts, involving 76 victims, though it states the actual number of killings is in the thousands.
State Policy and Systematic Attack
The brief argues the killings were not random but part of a coordinated state policy. It points to Duterte’s public speeches, where he repeatedly urged police and the public to kill drug suspects, promised immunity for perpetrators, and offered cash rewards for deaths.
The prosecution also highlighted the use of official mechanisms like the “PRRD List” of high-value targets and barangay drug watchlists to identify victims. It cites data showing a dramatic spike in police killings immediately after Duterte took office, with one expert analysis concluding that many reported “shootouts” were in fact extrajudicial ex*****ons.
Intent and Awareness
The document asserts that Duterte and his associates were fully aware of the criminal nature of their actions. It references Duterte’s own admissions, including that he killed “around 1,700” people in Davao City and used intelligence funds to finance killings.
The prosecution is seeking confirmation of charges against Duterte for three modes of criminal responsibility: as an indirect co-perpetrator, for ordering the crimes, and for aiding and abetting. The case now awaits a confirmation of charges hearing before Pre-Trial Chamber I.
Source: The Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/25/news/icc-prosecution-accuses-duterte-dela-rosa-of-orchestrating-widespread-and-systematic-killings-in-ph/2190530
