Overview
- Prosecutors argue the drug war was a widespread, systematic attack on civilians and charge Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of murder as crimes against humanity as an indirect co‑perpetrator.
- The prosecution presented datasets, insider testimony, videos and a location map highlighting killings, including 76 murders cited across the three charged counts.
- Quantitative allegations include at least 274 extrajudicial killings in Davao City from 2012 to 2015 and at least 5,823 anti‑drug killings nationwide during Duterte’s presidency, based on public reporting and independent tallies.
- The defense counters that there is no proven causal link between Duterte’s rhetoric and the killings, says no witness in 49 charged incidents will testify to receiving a direct order, and accuses prosecutors of cherry‑picking speeches.
- Duterte has waived his appearance for the hearing and has been detained in The Hague since March 2025, and victims’ counsel urges the chamber to confirm the charges as a step toward justice.