Philippines' Duterte faces 3 counts of murder before ICC

Andreo Calonzo, Bloomberg News on Sep 22, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has been charged by International Criminal Court prosecutors with three counts of murder for the killings of alleged drug suspects while he was mayor and president.

“Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan or agreement to ‘neutralize’ alleged criminals in the Philippines (including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production) through violent crimes including murder,” read the prosecution’s July 4 filing, which was made public only on Monday.

The prosecution also accused Duterte as an indirect co-perpetrator, and of ordering and aiding the commission of the crimes. The former president has repeatedly denied having a hand in the killings.

Duterte is currently detained in the ICC after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government allowed the ex-leader’s arrest as their ties frayed. The ICC early this month postponed a hearing on the confirmation of charges against Duterte to determine whether he is well enough to stand trial.