Two sitting Philippine senators, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, have been identified as alleged “co-perpetrators” in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to newly released prosecutorial documents. The revelations place two prominent political figures, once key allies of the former president, directly within the orbit of the ongoing international legal proceedings that have gripped the Philippines.
The ICC document, dated February 13 and publicly posted late Friday, names a total of eight current and former officials implicated in the alleged crimes. Among them is former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who previously served as legal counsel for Duterte in cases linked to the notorious “Davao Death Squad.” This widening of the net suggests a concerted effort by ICC prosecutors to build a case that extends beyond the former president himself.
Rodrigo Duterte, now 80 years old, was arrested in the Philippine capital of Manila in March 2025. He was swiftly transferred to The Hague, Netherlands, where he is currently held in ICC custody. Duterte maintains his arrest was unlawful and has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the charges.
ICC prosecutors have formally charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his direct or indirect responsibility for at least 76 murders. These killings are said to have occurred as part of his controversial and brutal “war on drugs” campaign, a policy that began during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and intensified during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
The prosecution’s document explicitly states that Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators shared a “common plan or agreement to ‘neutralize’ alleged criminals in the Philippines… through violent crimes including murder.” This language indicates a systematic approach to the alleged killings, suggesting that the actions were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated strategy.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police and a principal architect of Duterte’s drug war, has previously expressed concerns about facing potential arrest. Sources indicate he has been in hiding for months, anticipating such a development. His deep involvement in the implementation of the drug war policies makes his inclusion in the ICC document a significant escalation.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who secured a landslide victory in the May elections, served as Duterte’s closest aide and special assistant throughout his terms as mayor of Davao City and as president. Go’s consistent proximity to Duterte throughout his political career has now placed him under the ICC’s scrutiny.
Representatives for Senator Dela Rosa stated they had not yet reviewed the released document. Senator Go has yet to issue a public comment on the latest development. It remains unclear at this stage whether the individuals named in the prosecution’s document will face formal charges in court, as the ICC is still in the process of gathering and confirming evidence.
ICC Prosecutors Unveil Broader Network of Alleged Complicity
Kristina Conti, a lawyer representing families of several victims of the drug war, commented on the significance of the ICC’s disclosure. She noted that this marks the first time the court has publicly shared such “significant details” regarding the ongoing investigation. Conti’s statement highlighted that the inclusion of multiple high-ranking officials under Duterte’s administration suggests the deadly drug war was not merely an implementation effort but was designed to ensure impunity for those involved.
“The involvement of those in the investigating units, which should have acted as the killings happen, is material to the plan,” Conti said, emphasizing the prosecution’s argument that the alleged criminal enterprise extended into the very agencies meant to uphold the law. She also pointed out that this evidence reinforces the assertion that the “war on drugs” originated in Davao City, the former president’s political stronghold.
The ICC is currently conducting a four-day “confirmation of charges” hearing, which commenced on February 23. During this crucial phase, ICC judges will meticulously examine the evidence presented by the prosecution to determine if the allegations against Duterte are substantial enough to warrant a full trial. The judges have already dismissed arguments that the 80-year-old former president is unfit to stand trial, clearing a major hurdle for the proceedings.
Both Senator Go and Senator Dela Rosa are identified as co-perpetrators in alleged acts that occurred during Duterte’s tenures as mayor of Davao City and as president of the Philippines. Their alleged involvement spans the entire period of the controversial drug war, from its early stages in Davao to its nationwide implementation.
The inclusion of former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is particularly noteworthy. Aguirre, who acted as Duterte’s lawyer in cases related to the “Davao Death Squad,” is among the eight named individuals. His past legal work and subsequent position within the Department of Justice place him in a unique position to understand the alleged legal machinations behind the drug war.
Evidence of a Criminal Structure
Ross Tugade, an ICC-accredited lawyer from the Philippines, shared his perspective on social media, suggesting that the naming of former Duterte officials indicates the ICC possesses evidence pointing to a “criminal structure” responsible for the alleged crimes. This suggests that the prosecution is not only targeting individuals but is also aiming to dismantle the alleged systemic nature of the violence.
The charges against Duterte are broken down into three main counts. The first count pertains to his alleged co-perpetration in 19 murders carried out between 2013 and 2016, during his time as mayor of Davao City. This period is widely seen as the genesis of the systematic killings that would later define his national policy.
The second count focuses on the alleged involvement of Duterte in the murders of 14 individuals identified as “High Value Targets” (HVTs) in 2016 and 2017, when he was president. This indicates that the alleged targeting of individuals continued and evolved after he assumed the highest office in the land.
The third and most extensive charge covers 43 murders committed during “clearance” operations targeting lower-level alleged drug users and pushers. These operations allegedly took place across the Philippines between 2016 and 2018, illustrating the widespread and devastating impact of the drug war on communities nationwide.
In parallel to these developments, the ICC also announced on Friday that it had approved the addition of 500 more complainants to the case against Duterte. This significant increase in the number of individuals seeking justice underscores the immense scale of the alleged human rights violations and the growing number of victims coming forward.
Broader Implications and the Shadow of Impunity
The implications of these revelations extend far beyond the legal proceedings at The Hague. The identification of sitting senators as alleged co-perpetrators raises profound questions about accountability and the rule of law within the Philippines. It challenges the narrative that the drug war was solely the responsibility of the former president and suggests a more intricate web of complicity.
The ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s presidency has been a focal point of international human rights advocacy. The “war on drugs” resulted in thousands of documented deaths, with critics accusing the Philippine authorities of extrajudicial killings and a systematic disregard for due process. Human rights organizations have consistently called for independent investigations and accountability for the alleged atrocities.
The ICC’s decision to proceed with charges against Duterte marked a significant moment, signaling that individuals in positions of power are not immune from international justice. The current expansion of the investigation to include other high-ranking officials, including elected senators, further solidifies the court’s commitment to a comprehensive examination of the alleged crimes.
The inclusion of individuals like Dela Rosa, who oversaw the police operations that led to many of the killings, and Go, who was privy to Duterte’s inner circle, suggests that prosecutors are building a case based on command responsibility and the alleged orchestration of a state-sanctioned campaign of violence. Former Justice Secretary Aguirre’s inclusion points to a potential understanding of the legal justifications and strategies employed to shield these actions from scrutiny.
The ICC’s process is designed to ensure that those most responsible for widespread atrocities are held accountable, regardless of their political standing or current office. The confirmation of charges hearing is a critical juncture, where judges will assess the strength of the prosecution’s evidence before deciding whether to proceed to a full trial. The outcome of this hearing will have significant repercussions for the Duterte administration’s legacy and the broader fight against impunity for human rights abuses in the Philippines.
The involvement of the ICC in the Philippines’ internal affairs remains a sensitive issue, with some segments of the Philippine political landscape viewing it as an infringement on national sovereignty. However, for victims’ families and human rights advocates, it represents a crucial avenue for seeking justice that may not be available domestically. The ongoing legal battle at The Hague is a stark reminder of the enduring pursuit of accountability for grave human rights violations, transcending national borders and political power. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the future course of this landmark international legal case.
