ICC Prosecutors Name Philippine Senators in Drug War Killings Case
The International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor has formally identified eight current and former Philippine officials as alleged co-perpetrators in the violent killings that occurred during the country's campaign against illegal drugs. According to a court document dated February 13, 2026, Senators Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go stand accused alongside former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and several former police officials.
Common Plan to Neutralize Alleged Criminals
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated in the legal filing that detained former president Rodrigo R. Duterte and the alleged co-perpetrators "shared a common plan or agreement to neutralize alleged criminals in the Philippines." The prosecution claims this extended to individuals perceived or alleged to be connected with drug use, sale, or production through violent crimes including murder.
The document reveals that during Duterte's mayoral period from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2016, the former president and his associates allegedly utilized Davao City police forces alongside non-police hitmen and the notorious Davao Death Squad to execute alleged criminals. The prosecution asserts that Duterte "sat at the apex" of formal police and city structures, exercising legal control over PNP units in Davao City as well as non-police city hall workers and barangay officials who sometimes participated in or facilitated the crimes.
Chain of Command and Control Structure
According to the ICC prosecution, the alleged co-perpetrators "controlled a structure of power—the local police and related DDS hierarchy—that enabled them to control the will of the physical perpetrators." The document details how so-called barangay handlers and police officers allegedly supervised DDS members who carried out the actual crimes.
"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," the filing states. "Duterte's approval was required for DDS members to conduct killings in Davao City."
The prosecution further alleges that the co-perpetrators wielded such power over those physically conducting the crimes that they felt compelled to obey or risk "being killed" and disposed of.
Expansion During Presidential Term
During Duterte's presidency, the prosecution claims the listed individuals "agreed to expand the common plan to neutralize alleged criminals" across the entire Philippines. In their expanded geographical roles, the co-perpetrators allegedly controlled the will of physical perpetrators through mechanisms ensuring automatic compliance with orders.
This control mechanism, according to the ICC, relied upon the alleged co-perpetrators' authority over physical perpetrators through chains of command and financial payments, among other means.
Complete List of Named Officials
Beyond Senators Dela Rosa and Go and former Justice Secretary Aguirre, the ICC document names:
- Vicente Danao, who served in multiple police leadership positions including Davao City Police chief (October 2013-June 2016) and Manila Police district director (November 2018-October 2019)
- The late Camilo Cascolan, who held various PNP positions including chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations (July 2016-April 2018)
- Oscar Albayalde, former director of the National Capital Region Police Office (July 2016-April 2018) and PNP chief (April 2018-October 2019)
- Dante Gierran, former National Bureau of Investigation Davao Region Director (2013–2016) and NBI Director (2016-2020)
- Isidro Lapeña, former chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (2016-2017)
The prosecution also listed unnamed members of the Philippine National Police and high-ranking government officials as part of the alleged conspiracy.
Current Status of Key Figures
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who served as Duterte's first Philippine National Police chief, has maintained a notably low public profile since Senate sessions resumed in November 2025. He effectively "disappeared" following reports suggesting he might face arrest. On January 21, when he turned 64, Dela Rosa posted on Facebook asserting he is "alive and well," "seeking for justice to emerge and take over," and remains patient, composed and dignified.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands since March 11, 2025, has been deemed fit to stand trial. He faces three counts of crimes against humanity as an indirect co-perpetrator:
- Murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral period by the Davao Death Squad
- Murders of high-value targets during his presidential period
- Murders and attempted murders in barangay clearance operations during his presidential period
Duterte is scheduled to attend his confirmation hearing on February 23, 2026, as the ICC moves forward with its prosecution of one of the most controversial chapters in recent Philippine history.
