Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The 80-year-old is accused of being criminally responsible for dozens of murders that allegedly took place during his so-called war on drugs, which led to the extrajudicial killing of numerous drug dealers, users, and other individuals without trial.
The ICC's charge sheet, partly redacted and dated from July, was made public just recently. ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang labeled Duterte as an indirect co-perpetrator in these killings, reportedly carried out by various others, including law enforcement officials.
The first count against Duterte concerns alleged involvement in the killings of 19 individuals in Davao City between 2013 and 2016 during his tenure as mayor. Subsequent charges pertain to his presidency, focusing on the murders of 14 high-profile targets and the deaths of 45 individuals during village clearance operations.
Prosecutors claimed Duterte and his co-conspirators had a shared agenda aimed at neutralizing perceived criminals in the Philippines through acts of violence, including murder.
Duterte has not shown remorse for his stringent crackdown on drugs, which has been linked to over 6,000 deaths, with activists estimating that the true number may reach tens of thousands.
Rodrigo Duterte is notable for being the first former head of state from Asia to face indictment by the ICC, and he has been in custody since March in The Hague. His legal representation has asserted that he is unable to stand trial due to declining health.
Despite his incarceration, Duterte was reelected as mayor of Davao, with his son Sebastian currently acting as mayor in his absence.
Supporters of Duterte allege that the ICC's actions are politically motivated by current President Ferdinand Marcos, who has had a strained relationship with the Duterte family. The ICC's jurisdiction heavily relies on cooperation from nations, which often faces obstacles, as indicated by Marcos's previous remarks against engaging with the ICC.
