Philippine senators named as co-perpetrators in Duterte ICC case

Former Philippine justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is among eight current and past officials named in a complaint regarding former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go are also listed as “co-perpetrators” in the case. Duterte was arrested in 2025 and is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his involvement in murders as part of his “war on drugs”. Dela Rosa, the former national police chief, and Go, a key lieutenant of Duterte, have not yet commented on the latest development. This is the first time significant details have been disclosed, shedding light on the involvement of high-ranking officials in Duterte’s deadly drug war. The ICC will hold a confirmation of charges hearing for Duterte in February to determine if the case will proceed to trial. The inclusion of former Duterte officials in the complaint indicates that the ICC has evidence of a criminal structure behind the alleged crimes.

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