ICC charges Duterte with murder, attempted murder as crimes against humanity

ICC prosecutors have formally charged former president Rodrigo Duterte with murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity, alleging he was an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the drug war killings.

The charges detail 49 incidents involving murder and attempted murder linked to a "common plan" to "neutralize" alleged criminals, involving victims when Duterte was Davao City mayor and later president.

Prosecutors specifically accuse Duterte of designing, ordering, inducing, aiding and abetting widespread murders, going beyond the broad term "co-perpetrator".

Count 1 involves murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City of 19 victims from nine incidents between 2013 and around 2016, when Duterte was mayor.

Count 2 involves murder as a crime against humanity of 'high-value targets' in locations across the Philippines of 14 victims from five incidents when Duterte was President between around 2016 and 2017.

Malacañang, through Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, stated they have "no reaction" to the ICC's charges against Duterte.

Vice President Sara Duterte accused Philippine Embassy officials in The Hague of conducting a "sham welfare check" on her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and warned of repercussions if such visits continue.

She claimed the visit happened without her family's permission and that the officials abused detention unit rules.

The former president has been in ICC custody in The Hague since his March 11 arrest in Manila.