The Duterte ICC drug war case took a decisive turn as prosecutors argued that the former Philippine leader masterminded violent campaigns against suspected drug users nationwide.
Addressing judges in The Hague, ICC prosecutors said Duterte exercised ultimate authority over killings linked to the Philippines’ controversial war on drugs.
They argued that the violence was not random but coordinated, systematic, and directed from the highest levels of political power.
According to the prosecution, Duterte personally encouraged killings and cultivated an environment where murder was rewarded and protected from accountability.
Duterte, now 80, faces three counts of crimes against humanity related to actions taken during his presidency and earlier tenure as Davao mayor.
The court heard that the charges cover dozens of incidents involving murder and attempted murder, representing only a fraction of alleged abuses.
ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told judges the killings were part of a deliberate national policy.
Niang said Duterte stood “at the very heart” of operations designed to eliminate alleged criminals through lethal means.
Prosecutors traced the origins of the policy to Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao, where death squads allegedly operated.
The court was told that a group known as the Davao Death Squad targeted suspects with tacit approval from city authorities.
When Duterte became president in 2016, prosecutors said those tactics were expanded across the Philippines using police and civilian collaborators.
They alleged Duterte promised immunity to participants and provided financial incentives tied to the number of killings carried out.
Some perpetrators were allegedly paid per victim, while others competed for promotions through lethal quotas.
Niang cited speeches where Duterte appeared to admit personal involvement in killings to encourage subordinates to act similarly.
One speech quoted Duterte describing motorcycle patrols where he claimed to kill suspected criminals himself.
In another interview, Duterte warned drug suspects they would be executed within 24 hours if he became president.
Prosecutors argued such rhetoric was not exaggeration but instruction that translated into deadly action on the streets.
Duterte did not attend the pre-trial hearing, citing age, illness, and memory problems.
Families of victims condemned his absence, accusing the former leader of avoiding accountability.
Victims’ representatives told the court that survivors live in fear after years of intimidation and violence.
Between 12,000 and 30,000 civilians were killed during anti-drug operations, according to estimates cited by prosecutors.
Most victims were men from poor urban communities, shot during police raids or in their homes.
Human rights groups have long described the Philippines war on drugs as disproportionately targeting the poor.
Supporters of Duterte gathered outside the court, insisting his policies reduced crime and improved public safety.
Duterte’s defence lawyer Nicholas Kaufman argued his client’s language was exaggerated political rhetoric.
Kaufman said Duterte should not be judged for vulgar speech or aggressive posturing common in Philippine politics.
He accused prosecutors of selectively quoting speeches while ignoring calls for lawful self-defence.
The defence also rejected claims that the drug war targeted the poor, portraying Duterte as personally frugal.
Kaufman described Duterte’s lifestyle as modest, citing simple meals and basic living conditions.
He further claimed NGOs, activists, and media unfairly targeted Duterte due to political bias.
Despite international condemnation, Duterte remained popular in parts of the Philippines during and after his presidency.
His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, recently announced plans to run in the 2028 election.
Polling suggests she remains a strong contender, underscoring the family’s enduring political influence.
Victims’ lawyers urged judges to allow the case to proceed to a full trial.
One representative said dismissing Duterte’s speeches as jokes insults families who lost loved ones.
“If this was merely bluster, the dead should still be alive,” the court was told.
Relatives of victims watched the proceedings from Manila, some travelling to The Hague to witness the hearing.
The pre-trial phase will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to move the Duterte ICC drug war case to trial.
Judges are expected to issue a written decision within 60 days.
If confirmed, the case would mark one of the most significant accountability efforts against a former Asian head of state.
For many families, the hearing represents a long-awaited step toward justice after years of fear and silence.
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