By: Aliahcorr Balanon
Photo courtesy: ICC “Document Containing the Charges,” & AP Photo / Peter Dejong
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has filed three counts of murder against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed when he was Davao City mayor, and later when he was president, on Monday, Sept. 22.
In its Document Containing the Charges, uploaded on the ICC website on Tuesday, Sept. 23, prosecutors detailed the accusations, which stem from incidents between Nov. 2011 and March 2019.
“During Duterte’s presidential campaign and the transition period after he was elected, the co-perpetrators agreed to expand the Common Plan to ‘neutralise’ alleged criminals through violent crimes including murder across the Philippines,” the filing read.
The warrant was issued under seal on March 7 and made public on March 11.
Duterte surrendered to the ICC on March 12, following his arrest by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol in compliance with the warrant.
His initial appearance took place on March 14, appearing in the hearing via video link as authorized by the Chamber.
However, on Sept. 8, Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed the commencement of the start of the confirmation hearing in the case, which had been initially scheduled to start on Sept. 23.
According to the ICC document, the prosecution held Duterte criminally liable for 3 counts of murder:
Count 1: Murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City during the Mayoral period of the 19 victims of Incidents 1 to 9, between 2013 and around [REDACTED] 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’ in locations across the Philippines during the Presidential period of the 14 victims of Incidents 10 to 14, between around [REDACTED] 2016 and [REDACTED] 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 in locations across the Philippines during the Presidential period of the 45 victims (43 murders [REDACTED]) of Incidents 15 to 49, between around [REDACTED] 2016 and [REDACTED] 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).