ICC confirms all charges vs Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) I on Thursday confirmed all charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, effectively committing him to a full trial.

According to the chamber, its decision to confirm all charges—comprising three counts of crimes against humanity—was based on the evidence and arguments presented during the confirmation of charges hearing in February, as well as on the submissions and documents of the parties and participants, including participating victims.

“Pre-Trial Chamber I concluded that there are substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, pursuant to Article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute (ICC’s founding treaty),” the PTC I said in a statement.

Under its decision, Duterte will face trial for the following crimes:

Murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City during his mayoral term from 2013 to June 2016.

Murder as a crime against humanity against ‘high-value targets’ in locations across the Philippines during his presidency from July 2016 to July 17.

Murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity in barangay clearance operations in locations across the Philippines during his presidency from July 2016 to September 2018.

READ: What’s next after ICC Appeals Chamber ruling on Duterte case

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The ICC cited in its decision 49 incidents during Duterte’s drug war that supplemented the crimes he is accused of.

READ: ICC affirms jurisdiction over Rodrigo Duterte case

Sen. Bato dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, among others, were also tagged in the document as “co-perpetrators”  in Duterte’s “violent crimes, including murder.” /mcm