MANILA, Philippines — February 14, 2026. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has released a lesser redacted version of its Document Containing Charges (DCC) against former President Rodrigo Duterte, naming Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go among his alleged co-perpetrators in the bloody war on drugs.

The prosecution’s filing, dated February 13, 2026, detailed that “at least between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019, Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan or agreement to ‘neutralise’ alleged criminals in the Philippines.” 

The ICC document accuses Duterte of being individually criminally responsible for crimes against humanity, specifically murders and attempted murders, committed during both his tenure as Davao City mayor and as president.

According to the charges, Duterte is considered an indirect co-perpetrator in three counts: murders in or around Davao City during the mayoral period by the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), murders of high-value targets during his presidency, and murders and attempted murders in barangay clearance operations.

The inclusion of Dela Rosa and Go in the ICC’s prosecution document underscores the widening scope of accountability in the international tribunal’s investigation. Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the early years of Duterte’s presidency, was a key implementer of the drug war. 

Go, Duterte’s longtime aide and now senator, was identified as part of the circle that allegedly shared responsibility in carrying out the campaign.

The ICC’s move has reignited debates in the Philippines about the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 and whether the government should rejoin the international tribunal. Human rights groups welcomed the release of the document, saying it validates years of advocacy for justice for thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings.

Meanwhile, Duterte and his allies have consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that the drug war was a legitimate campaign to protect communities from the scourge of illegal drugs. The ICC trial, if it proceeds, will mark a historic moment in international accountability, with the Philippines under global scrutiny for alleged crimes against humanity. 

Image from Sen. Bato Dela Rosa Facebook