Sep 22, 2025 - Politics & Policy

ICC charges ex-Philippine President Duterte with crimes against humanity

Rebecca Falconer

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, wearing a black jacket and shirt, gestures with his right hand while holding a mic in his left at a clear podium with the words "Jesus Christ" written on it. — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a March rally in Hong Kong, China. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing three counts of crimes against humanity in connection with his years-long deadly war on drugs, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors announced Monday.

The big picture: Duterte, who said he launched the crackdown to stop drugs from destroying his country, is accused of committing the crimes during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president.

The 80-year-old was taken into custody and flown to The Hague, Netherlands, in March following an ICC investigation that began in 2021 after thousands of people were killed in police drug operations in the Philippines.

Zoom in: Count one concerns Duterte's time as mayor from 2013-2018 during which, prosecutors allege, he was an "indirect co-perpetrator" in 19 murders, per a partially redacted July 4 ICC filing that was published on Monday.

The second and third ICC charges are connected to his time as president, with the former concerning the murders of 14 people and the latter the murders of 43 people and attempted murders of two others during "clearance" operations over a period stretching from 2016 to 2022, according to the filing.

Flashback: "I assume full responsibility," Duterte says of drug war

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ICC charges ex-Philippine President Duterte with crimes against humanity

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