Rodrigo Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte, who served as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, has been the subject of numerous allegations, investigations, and legal proceedings related to human rights violations and crimes against humanity. The most significant recent development is the confirmation of charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in February 2026, which found substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed crimes including murder, torture, and rape during his "war on drugs" (BBC, 2026; ABC News, 2026). The ICC accuses Duterte of being an indirect co-perpetrator, having used police officers and hired hitmen to carry out extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals, with estimates of at least 76 murders linked to his campaign (BBC, 2026; ABC News, 2026). Duterte’s tenure was marked by widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, with human rights groups estimating that tens of thousands of suspected drug offenders and others were killed during his anti-drug campaign. Prosecutors allege that Duterte personally drew up "death lists" and boasted about murders, including children, and publicly named individuals involved in drug activities, many of whom became victims (ABC News, 2026; Al Jazeera, 2025). In 2025, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Duterte, who was detained in the Philippines and subsequently transferred to The Hague to face trial, marking a rare instance of a former Philippine leader being prosecuted internationally despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 (Al Jazeera, 2025; ABC News, 2026). Throughout his career, Duterte faced accusations of corruption, abuse of power, and ethical violations, especially related to his violent approach to law enforcement. While he has denied the allegations, describing his actions as necessary for national security, the ongoing ICC proceedings and investigations highlight the serious concerns regarding his conduct during his time in office (BBC, 2026; ABC News, 2026). As of May 2026, Duterte remains detained in The Hague, with the court preparing for a potential trial, and he has publicly refused to attend court hearings, citing health reasons (BBC, 2026).