Former President Duterte on trial for multiple murders

World Criminal Court

Former President Duterte on trial for multiple murders

As president of the Philippines, Duterte waged a relentless war on drug-related crime. Now he has to answer in court. The prosecution presents evidence.

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have accused former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte of being responsible for a murderous campaign that left dozens of victims in his country. At the opening of the preliminary proceedings, prosecutors accused him of crimes against humanity in the state’s “war on drugs” – in particular murder and attempted murder in 78 cases from 2011 to 2019, including children.

The 80-year-old Duterte stayed away from the hearing – that is permissible. He has been in the court’s prison in Scheveningen near The Hague for almost a year.

According to the indictment, Duterte played a “crucial role” in the operation of death squads. First as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president, he not only killed people himself, but also ordered, planned, financed and publicly justified murders. According to the indictment, Duterte had also put a bounty on suspected drug criminals or addicts.

During the hearings, which are scheduled to last one week, the judges first check whether the evidence is sufficient to open the main proceedings. A decision is expected in May. Both supporters and opponents of Duterte demonstrated in front of the court.

Defense attorney Nicholas Kaufman dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Duterte justified the use of violence only in self-defense. The defense attorney spoke of Duterte as the “people’s president” who always stood up for the poor. “He dedicated his life to public causes, a life to law and order,” Kaufman said.

The defense also reiterated that Duterte could not attend the trial due to health reasons. The court had previously determined that Duterte was fit to stand trial following an independent medical examination.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang called the start of the trial a significant signal for the people of the Philippines and international law. “It’s a reminder to all those in power that they are not above the law.”

Relatives of alleged victims gathered in the capital Manila and Cebu City to watch Duterte’s hearing from The Hague. The meetings were organized by victim support organizations such as Program Paghilom. Its founder, Flavie L. Villanueva, said Duterte’s arrest showed “that justice is real” and had sparked a healing process among those left behind.