The International Criminal Court (ICC) has moved the case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte a step closer to trial, after judges confirmed all charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
In a decision released Thursday (April 23) from The Hague, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I said there are “substantial grounds to believe” that Duterte is responsible for crimes involving “murder and attempted murder” committed between November 2011 and March 2019.
The court said these alleged crimes were carried out “as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population” in the Philippines during the anti-drug campaign.
For many Filipinos, especially families of victims, the decision marks a significant moment in the long-running search for accountability over thousands of deaths tied to the drug war.
It also highlights the reach of international law. While the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member, covering the period cited in the charges.
The trial, once scheduled, is expected to draw intense attention both locally and internationally, as it examines one of the most controversial chapters in recent Philippine history.
The confirmation of charges does not determine guilt. Instead, it means ICC judges believe prosecutors have enough evidence for the case to proceed to a full trial, where both sides will present their arguments.
Duterte has now been formally committed to trial, with the case to be handled next by a Trial Chamber that will set the timeline and procedures.
The ICC stressed that its proceedings remain fair and balanced, noting that trials are “fair and impartial,” and that the defence will have time to prepare, while “respecting the rights of victims.”
The ruling follows a week-long confirmation hearing held from February 23 to 27, 2026, where prosecutors, defense lawyers, and legal representatives of victims presented evidence and arguments.
Duterte did not attend the hearing after the chamber allowed him to waive his right to be present.
The case stems from an ICC investigation into killings linked to the Philippine government’s anti-drug operations, which drew global scrutiny over alleged human rights violations.