“Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed murder charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as crimes against humanity on Thursday, paving the way for a trial.”

“The judges said there were “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte, 81, played a key role in the murders of 76 people and the attempted murder of two others as part of his so-called “war on drugs”, which prosecutors say killed thousands of civilians in the Philippines.”

““The available evidentiary material shows the existence of a common plan between Mr Duterte and his co-perpetrators to kill alleged criminals in the Philippines, including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production, through violent crimes including murder,” the court said.”

“In pre-trial hearings, his lawyers argued that Duterte’s public statements that he would stop drugs and criminality in the Philippines and would tell security forces to go out and kill criminals were just rhetoric, meant to instil fear.”

“In the Philippines, the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued a statement to say that it respected the ruling and justice must be served.”

“The case will now be assigned to a trial chamber which will start planning for a trial.”

“Prosecutors have said Duterte created, funded and armed death squads to target and kill suspected narcotics peddlers and users when he was in power between 2016 and 2022.”

“Duterte has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the crackdown.”