24 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Judges at the International Criminal Court are assessing whether prosecutors can move forward with a case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte over thousands of deaths linked to the country’s controversial “war on drugs,” a campaign that drew global condemnation during his time in office.
The review focuses on whether the ICC has jurisdiction and whether the evidence presented meets the threshold to proceed with a full investigation and potential charges. Prosecutors argue that killings carried out during Duterte’s presidency, both by police and alleged vigilantes, may amount to crimes against humanity. Human rights groups estimate that thousands of people, many from poor communities, were killed during anti-drug operations.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, has repeatedly defended the campaign as a necessary measure to combat illegal drugs and crime. He has denied authorising unlawful killings and has maintained that police were instructed to act within the law. However, critics say the campaign encouraged a culture of impunity, with suspects often killed during raids under disputed circumstances.
The ICC investigation covers alleged crimes committed when the Philippines was still a member of the court. Although the country formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, judges have previously ruled that the court retains jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed while the Philippines was a state party.
During the current phase, judges are examining submissions from prosecutors as well as arguments from Philippine authorities, who have challenged the court’s involvement. The government has said domestic institutions are capable of investigating any abuses and has questioned the ICC’s authority to intervene. Prosecutors, however, contend that national investigations have been limited and insufficient, failing to hold senior officials accountable.
Families of victims and human rights advocates see the ICC process as a rare opportunity for justice. Many say domestic avenues have been closed or ineffective, leaving international mechanisms as the only hope for accountability. Several groups have documented patterns of killings that they argue point to a systematic policy rather than isolated incidents.
Legal experts note that the judges’ decision at this stage does not determine guilt but will shape the future of the case. If the judges allow proceedings to advance, prosecutors could seek arrest warrants or summonses related to senior figures linked to the campaign. Such a move would significantly raise the international stakes for Duterte, even though the ICC lacks its own enforcement powers.
The case has broader implications beyond the Philippines. Observers say it could set an important precedent on how the ICC handles alleged abuses linked to state-led security campaigns and withdrawals from the court. It also underscores the continuing debate over sovereignty versus international accountability.
As judges deliberate, the issue remains politically sensitive in the Philippines, where opinions on the drug war remain deeply divided. Supporters credit Duterte with improving law and order, while critics argue the campaign exacted an unacceptable human cost. The ICC’s assessment now places these contested policies under international legal scrutiny.
Summary
ICC judges are reviewing whether to advance a case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity linked to thousands of killings during his controversial war on drugs.