A International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor told a hearing in The Hague that Rodrigo Duterte allegedly personally compiled a so-called “death list” and even bragged about killings under his anti-drug campaign. According to prosecutor Edward Jeremy, while he was president, Duterte openly named individuals linked to illegal drugs—many of whom later became victims of bloody operations. The hearing also showed a video in which Duterte can be heard saying that he is the “sole person responsible” for the events.
On the second day of the hearing, the prosecution presented testimonies, including allegations that young people were arrested, their heads were allegedly wrapped in packing tape, and then strangled to death. The prosecution camp insisted that the so-called “Duterte list” was a death register. According to them, the poor are often targeted because they are the least able to file complaints against the police.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, in connection with at least 76 killings from 2013 to 2018. However, prosecutors said these were only a small fraction of the thousands of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign when he was mayor of Davao City and later president. During one part of the hearing, it was also mentioned that Duterte once joked about extrajudicial killings, as the number of deaths on the streets continued to rise.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, in connection with at least 76 killings from 2013 to 2018. However, prosecutors said these were only a small fraction of the thousands of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign when he was mayor of Davao City and later president. During one part of the hearing, it was also mentioned that Duterte once joked about extrajudicial killings, as the number of deaths on the streets continued to rise.
Meanwhile, Duterte's camp has strongly denied the accusations. According to his lawyer, he remains completely innocent, and his statements then can only be considered “bluster and hyperbole.” It was also asserted that the former president repeatedly ordered authorities to use force only if it was for self-defense. The ICC is expected to issue a written decision within 60 days on whether to proceed with the full trial.
