ICC names Duterte’s alleged 'co-perpetrators' in charges

MANILA, Philippines — Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court identified several senior Philippine officials as alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying they helped carry out a coordinated campaign of killings linked to the anti-drug war.

In a publicly released redacted filing dated Feb.13, 2026, the prosecution said Duterte is “individually criminally responsible” as an indirect co-perpetrator for three counts of crimes against humanity:

a. Count 1: Murders in or around Davao City during the Mayoral period by the DDS

b. Count 2: Murders of High-Value Targets during the Presidential period

c. Count 3: Murders and attempted murders in barangay clearance operations during the Presidential period

The Office of the Prosecutor also said that Duterte and his alleged associates shared a “common plan” to neutralize suspected criminals — including those linked to illegal drugs — through violent crimes such as murder from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, first in Davao City and later nationwide.

Police, government officials named

Among those listed as part of the alleged network were:

• Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa — chief of the Davao City Police from January 2012 to October 2013, and chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from July 2016 to April 2018;
   
• Vicente Danao — chief of the Davao City Police from October 2013 to June 2016; counterintelligence chief, PNP Directorate for Intelligence from July 2016 to February 2017; chief of Directorial Staff and then Deputy Director for Operations of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from February 2017 to November 2018; and Manila Police District director from November 2018 to October 2019;
   
• Camilo Cascolan —  finance chief of Davao Region Police Office from 2011-2012; chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations from July 2016 to April 2018; regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) from April to May 2018; and chief of staff in the PNP Office of the Chief of Directorial Staff from September 2018 to October 2019;
   
• Oscar Albayalde — regional director of NCRPO from July 2016 to April 2018; chief of the PNP from April 2018 to October 2019;
   
• Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go — Duterte's personal aide and special assistant from 1998 to 2016; Duterte's special assistant and chief of the Presidential Managerial Staff from June 2016 to October 2018;
   
• Dante Gierran — Davao regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from 2013 to 2016; NBI director from 2016 to 2020;
   
• Isidro Lapeña — Davao City Police chief from 1996 to 1998; chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from 2016 to 2017;
   
• Vitaliano Aguirre II — lawyer for Duterte and other members of the Davao Death Squad (DDS); secretary of the Department of Justice from July 2016 to April 2018; and
   
• Other unnamed police and high-ranking officials

Prosecutors said the group occupied key security posts that allowed them to exercise control over police units, investigators and non-police gunmen who allegedly carried out the killings.

From local squad to national network

According to the filing, the alleged killings were first carried out in Davao by police officers and hired gunmen under the so-called Davao Death Squad, which prosecutors said operated under a "hierarchical structure with DUTERTE at the top, as the Head of the DDS." 

"At the bottom were the DDS members who physically carried out the crimes (generally non-police hitmen or low-level police), who were subordinated to police or barangay handlers," the document read.

"The handlers reported to a combination of police and Co-Perpetrators (in particular, DELA ROSA (2012-2013), DANAO (2013-2016), Sonny BUENAVENTURA (police officer and DUTERTE’s driver and bodyguard) and Bong GO), who in turn reported to DUTERTE. DUTERTE’s approval was required for DDS members to conduct killings in Davao City," it added.

After Duterte became president in 2016, prosecutors said the system expanded nationwide into what they described as a “National Network” composed of police, drug enforcement agents, prison officials and civilian assets.

Authorities alleged the group ensured compliance through command structures, recruitment of loyal personnel, payments and incentives, threats and use of violence, and protection from investigation.

Prosecutors said the network ensured compliance, with members allegedly facing retaliation if they refused orders.

Alleged acts, authority

The prosecution said Duterte "made an essential contribution to the crimes in Counts 1 to 3" by:

• Designing and promoting policy to “neutralise” suspected criminals, including endorsing the nationwide anti-drug campaign, Double Barrel.
• Establishing and overseeing the Davao Death Squad (DDS) during his mayoral term.
• Authorizing violent acts, including murder, against alleged criminals, including drug dealers and users.
• Providing personnel and resources, such as weapons and logistics, for carrying out the operations.
• Appointing key officials to positions crucial for executing the plan.
• Offering financial incentives and promotions to police officers and hitmen to target alleged criminals.
• Creating a system of protection, ensuring perpetrators were shielded from prosecution or investigation.
• Making public statements that condoned or encouraged killings, both as mayor and president.
• Authorizing and revoking State participation in anti-drug operations to manage public outcry.
• Publicly naming individuals and displaying charts of alleged criminals, including “high-value targets,” some of whom were later killed.

Charged crimes

The charges, submitted by the Office of the Prosecutor, allege that Duterte was a key architect of a “common plan” to violently target individuals perceived as criminals, including drug dealers and users.

He is accused of indirect co-perpetration, ordering and inducing killings, and aiding and abetting violent acts.  

The prosecutors said: “For these reasons, Rodrigo Roa DUTERTE is criminally responsible for:

• Count 1: Murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City during the mayoral period, involving 19 victims from Incidents 1 to 9 between 2013 and around June 2016, pursuant to articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) (indirect co-perpetration) and/or 25(3)(b) (ordering and/or inducing) and/or 25(3)(c) (aiding and abetting).
• Count 2: Murder as a crime against humanity of “High-Value Targets” across the Philippines during the presidential period, involving 14 victims from Incidents 10 to 14 between around July 2016 and July 2017, pursuant to articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) (indirect co-perpetration) and/or 25(3)(b) (ordering and/or inducing) and/or 25(3)(c) (aiding and abetting).
• Count 3: Murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity in barangay clearance operations nationwide during the presidential period, involving 45 victims (43 murders and 2 attempted murders) from Incidents 15 to 49 between around July 2016 and September 2018, pursuant to articles 7(1)(a) and/or 25(3)(f) and 25(3)(a) (indirect co-perpetration) and/or 25(3)(b) (ordering and/or inducing) and/or 25(3)(c) (aiding and abetting).

After months of delay, the confirmation of charges against Duterte will finally proceed on February 23 after ICC judges found him fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings.

The upcoming confirmation of charges hearing will decide whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to show substantial grounds to believe that the former president committed the alleged crimes. 

During the hearing, the prosecution will present its evidence while Duterte’s defense team may raise objections or submit counter-evidence to challenge the claims.