ICC maintains jurisdiction over Duterte-era killings

The International Criminal Court (ICC) maintains jurisdiction over killings in the Philippines allegedly committed under Rodrigo Duterte's instruction and oversight, despite the country's withdrawal from the ICC.

In March 2018, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC without congressional approval, which took effect a year later. This move was intended to halt the ICC's preliminary examination of Davao Death Squad (DDS) killings and drug war deaths up until that point.

Despite this withdrawal, the ICC prosecutor successfully argued before judges twice, most recently in January 2023, maintaining jurisdiction over cases initiated prior to March 2019. In February 2023, the Philippines under Duterte's administration withdrew from the ICC’s founding treaty when it started looking into allegations of systematic extralegal killings.

On March 16, 2023, Mr. Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and transferred to the custody of the International Criminal Police Organization for his trial at the ICC scheduled for September 23.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s government cooperated with the ICC arrest warrant, stating it was not personal against his predecessor.