Duterte to Face Trial for Drug War Killings
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld all three counts of murder as a crime against humanity against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, ordering that he stand trial.
Judges found there were substantial grounds to believe that the 81-year-old played a key role in the murders of 76 people and the attempted murder of two others during his drug war. According to the court, Duterte and his associates shared a common plan to kill alleged criminals, including individuals suspected of drug links.
The prosecution alleges that Duterte created, funded and armed units to eliminate suspected drug dealers and users between 2016 and 2022.
The former president has long maintained that he ordered police to kill only in self-defense and has consistently defended his heavy-handed approach. An appeals panel earlier on Wednesday rejected his bid to halt the trial and upheld the court's jurisdiction in the case.