Composite photo shows Sen. Bato dela Rosa, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go at three different hearings.The Philippine STAR / Mong Pintolo, File; House of Representatives / Released; The Philippine STAR / Geremy Pintolo, File

ICC urged to issue arrest warrants for Duterte’s co-conspirators

15 Feb 2026, 04:28 by Ian Laqui · philstar

MANILA, Philippines — An international rights group is calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to immediately issue arrest warrants for former and current government officials recently identified as "co-perpetrators" in the alleged crimes against humanity committed during Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

In a statement released on February 14, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) welcomed the ICC's tagging of these officials, who were previously listed as redacted names in court filings.

ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy pointed out that the named individuals should face trial alongside Duterte, who is currently in ICC custody.

“It remains abundantly clear that the Philippine judicial system is unable to prosecute these alleged co-perpetrators. While still at large they are a risk for destruction of evidence, intimidation of witnesses and also flight risks,” Murphy said.

The group also said that with the confirmation of charges on February 23, the victims of the drug war will “at last see progress.”

“The many victims of disgraced former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will at last see progress with the confirmation of charges hearing on February 23, and we urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure that justice is seen to be done,” Murphy said.

“We welcome the January 26 decision by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, which rejected all the claims by Duterte’s defence that he is unfit for trial, should be released from detention, that the trial should be adjourned, and that the trial process so far has been unfair,” he added.

In a document released on February 13, the ICC revealed Duterte’s alleged co-conspirators in the war on drugs.

Names mentioned include Sens. Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and former Philippine National Police chiefs.

Aguirre and Go have denied their involvement in the drug war. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa, who was the architect of the “Oplan Tokhang,” has not been attending Senate sessions since November 2025, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that there is a warrant for his arrest.

The confirmation of charges against Duterte will be on February 23. Subsequent hearings will be on February 24, 26, and 27.