Statement of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor on the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomes the arrest and transfer of the suspect Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former President of the Philippines, on 11 March 2025 by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines. Mr Duterte has been arrested in the context of the Office’s ongoing investigation into the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines.

On the basis of its independent and impartial investigations, the Office of the Prosecutor alleges that Mr Duterte, as founder and head of the Davao Death Squad, then Mayor of Davao City, and subsequently as the President of the Philippines, is criminally responsible for the crime against humanity of murder (article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute) committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019. Mr Duterte is alleged to have commited these crimes as part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population.

In the warrant of arrest it issued on 7 March 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Duterte bears criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of murder. The Chamber also noted that the case against Mr Duterte falls within the jurisdiction of the Court as the alleged crimes occurred during the period when the Philippines was a State Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty.

The arrest of Mr Duterte is an important development in the Office’s pursuit of accountability in the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines for alleged crimes committed in the context of the so-called “war on drugs” campaign.

The Office has been able to conduct this work through the coordinated efforts of its Philippines Unified Team, under the guidance and leadership of Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, as well as its newly-established Tracking and Information Fusion Section and other relevant components of the Office. The Office is also grateful for the work of the Registry and the effective coordination of efforts to secure the arrest of the suspect.

This is a crucial step in our continuous work to ensure accountability for the victims of the most serious crimes under ICC jurisdiction. The Office is now commencing preparations towards the initial appearance and subsequent judicial proceedings before the Court.

The Office wishes to thank all the victims, survivors, witnesses and activists from the Philippines who have stepped forward to cooperate in the Office’s investigation. Their strength, courage, and perseverance make these significant developments possible. Those who wish to further cooperate or who have relevant information are encouraged to do so via the Office’s Witness Appeal portal.

The Office’s investigation in the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines continues. In pursuing further accountability in this Situation, the Office hopes to engage with the Philippine authorities on potential avenues of cooperation, and will continue to rely on the partnership of national authorities, regional and international organisations, civil society, and the communities affected by Rome Statute crimes.