8 Co-Perpetrators Named: ICC Charges Document Reveals Bato, Bong Go Among Duterte's Alleged Drug War Accomplices
As former President Rodrigo Duterte's landmark confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court approaches on Monday, February 23, a bombshell has emerged from the ICC's own documents. A "Public Lesser Redacted Version" of the charges document, released on February 13, lists eight other persons as co-perpetrators of crimes against humanity alongside Duterte — including Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.
Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnès Callamard called the hearing "a significant step towards delivering justice for victims and survivors" of Duterte's deadly war on drugs. She stressed that the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber must swiftly decide on confirming the charges so justice can proceed. The chamber has 60 days after the February 23-27 hearings to make its decision.
Duterte, who was arrested by the Philippine government in March 2025 and surrendered to the ICC, has been in custody in the Netherlands since then. His lawyers have challenged the court's jurisdiction, his detention, and his fitness to stand trial — pero in January 2026, medical experts determined he's fit for trial.
During Duterte's administration from 2016 to 2022, thousands of people — mostly from poor and marginalized communities — were unlawfully killed by police or armed individuals with suspected police links as part of the drug war. The ICC continues to investigate further potential crimes, including those by the Davao Death Squad during Duterte's time as Davao City mayor. No further arrest warrants have been made public yet.
Amnesty also urged the Marcos government to cooperate with the ICC's ongoing investigation and deliver domestic accountability. "The government's surrender of Duterte to the ICC does not absolve it of responsibility," Callamard said. Human Rights Watch echoed the call, saying the case "reflects the determination of victims and their families to advance justice against all odds and dangers."
Source: Amnesty International
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