Highlights: Duterte ICC Hearing – Confirmation of Charges (Feb 24)

The ICC’s confirmation of charges hearing on Feb. 24 covered the prosecution and the victims’ submission on the merits of the case.

The manner in which the prosecution had presented the merits of its case against former President Duterte was so cohesive and methodical.

The Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC granted the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte to skip the separate hearing on his detention

Holding former President Rodrigo Duterte criminally liable in ICC would entail connecting pieces of evidence akin to a “jigsaw puzzle.”

Below is the compiled transcripts of statements made during the ICC confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte.

After many years of documenting the victims’ stories Atty. Gilbert Andres, an ICC-accredited lawyer, finally saw a sliver of hope.

On Day 2 of the Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, Prosecution Trial Lawyer Edward Jeremy cited a list naming “high-value targets.”

Prosecutor Robynne Croft noted that Duterte and his co-perpetrators “jointly controlled a structure of power” to pursue common plan.

Paolina Massidda, one of the common legal representatives of the drug war victims’ kin, gives the second part of the submissions on the merits of the case.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte remained in “good spirits” as the confirmation of charges hearing in his crimes against humanity case opened at the ICC.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “message to kill was loud and clear” on the first day of his administration in 2016, as his campaign to use state violence against drug personalities was “amplified and repeated,” the prosecution told the International Criminal Court (ICC) on… pic.twitter.com/tc5ARuNb0n

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte sought to discredit the process that his father is in, at the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC.

Members of the three parties have varying roles in the case and some of them will have the chance to speak before ICC’s PTC I.

Former President Duterte also asked PTC of the ICC that he be allowed to also miss the hearing that will review his continued detention.

Purpose of the 4-day confirmation hearing is to determine if there are “substantial grounds to believe” that Duterte committed the crimes.

Only sporadic murmurs could be heard from the audience in the capacious all-white interior of Atencio-Libunao Hall UP-Diliman, Quezon City.

Prosecutors of the ICC on Tuesday detailed the roles of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s co-perpetrators as well as a list of targets.

Common legal representative of the victims, Atty. Butuyan, told ICC that this case symbolically represents the last boat for the victims.

ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told judges that Duterte encouraged death squads to carry out extrajudicial killings.

The ICC Office of the Public Counsel for Victims asserted that the prosecution meets the substantial grounds needed to confirm the charges.

Gilbert Andres, a lawyer of the drug war victims’ kin, concludes the submissions on the merits on Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case.

Paolina Massidda, a lawyer of the drug war victims’ kin, gives second part of the submissions on the merits of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case.

Legal expert Ruben Carranza shares insights on the crimes against humanity case that former President Rodrigo Duterte faces at the ICC.

‘HE IS A COWARD, BECAUSE HE DID NOT APPEAR’A relative of an alleged extrajudicial killing (EJK) victim called former President Rodrigo Duterte a “coward” for skipping his confirmation of charges hearing at the the International Criminal Court (ICC).READ MORE:… pic.twitter.com/L8WpShLsvQ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

International Criminal Court Principal Counsel for Victims Paolina Massidda said the confirmation of charges in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign is more than a legal step, it is a recognition for victims, affirming their dignity and… pic.twitter.com/ULwOL8lwrx

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

International Criminal Court Principal Counsel for Victims Paolina Massidda says families of those killed in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign sought justice from police and authorities, but their reports were ignored, dismissed, and their voices were… pic.twitter.com/z579JC8cFQ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

‘TOLD IMPLICITLY THAT THEIR LOVED ONES DESERVED WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM’Legal Representatives of Victims Paolina Massidda told the International Criminal Court (ICC) that families of drug war victims continue to face stigma even as they grapple with trauma and grief over their… pic.twitter.com/axkHGroawl

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

‘TOLD IMPLICITLY THAT THEIR LOVED ONES DESERVED WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM’Legal Representatives of Victims Paolina Massidda told the International Criminal Court (ICC) that families of drug war victims continue to face stigma even as they grapple with trauma and grief over their… pic.twitter.com/axkHGroawl

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Lawyer Ruben Carranza defines direct and indirect perpetrators as applied to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case.

The ICC prosecution seems to have strong evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte, says lawyer Rubeen Carranza.

Paolina Massidda, a lawyer of the drug war victims’ kin, makes submissions on the merits of the ICC case of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The remarks of Nicholas Kaufman, Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel, on President Marcos won’t matter to ICC judges, says lawyer Ruben Carranza.

The ICC prosecution continues its submission of merits on Day 2 of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing.

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

At the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte

International Criminal Court (ICC) trial lawyer Robynne Croft says former president Rodrigo Duterte intentionally carried out and facilitated the crimes charged before the ICC, adding that he established the Duterte Death Squad (DDS) and knowingly pursued a plan that led to… pic.twitter.com/ySJOUZRpTu

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

‘DUTERTE’S RESPONSE WAS SELECTIVE, VIOLENT CRACKDOWN’Paolina Massidda, principal counsel for victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said the Duterte administration framed drug addiction as a criminal issue rather than addressing its root causes, resulting in a… pic.twitter.com/fstUiwguZP

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

A relative of an alleged EJK victim under former President Rodrigo Duterte called him a “coward” for not appearing at his confirmation of charges hearing before ICC.

The ICC prosecution continues its submission on the merits on Day 2 of the confirmation of charges hearing of former President Duterte.

'THESE VICTIMS APPEAR TODAY BEFORE YOU NOT AS A STATISTIC'Paolina Massidda, principal counsel of the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC) emphasizes that the victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines should be seen as… pic.twitter.com/gXmIqcH4JL

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

The opening statements during the ICC hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case are not evidence, says legal expert Ruben Carranza.

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

Ex-presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo is “ignorant” of the details of the ICC case of Rodrigo Duterte, says lawyer Ruben Carranza.

The popularity of former President Rodrigo Dutertewon’t matter to the ICC judges hearing his case, says legal expert Ruben Carranza.

DUTERTE'S ROLELOOK: The ICC prosecution highlights former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “essential” role in crimes against humanity.According to trial lawyer Robynne Croft, without his involvement, “the crimes in this case would not have been committed, or they would have been… pic.twitter.com/JIiww8yzFD

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial lawyer Edward Jeremy says former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “PRRD list” was used by police to identify targets for operations, alleging that those named were frequently killed, turning the list into what he describes as a “dead… pic.twitter.com/W628VMX2qb

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

WAR ON DRUGS POWER STRUCTURE LOOK: Prosecution lawyer Robynne Croft presented a chart showing how co-perpetrators allegedly controlled key agencies—the executive, police, PDEA, NBI, and DOJ—to ensure subordinates carried out violent crimes against alleged criminals. | 📷: ICC… pic.twitter.com/hSDdssbXuV

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

DUTERTE’S CO-PERPETRATORSThe International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution names former President Rodrigo Duterte’s co-perpetrators during his mayoral period in Davao City and his presidential term. | 📷: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/CgSLrZT8Wz•⁠… pic.twitter.com/RMhGQ348UJ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

International Criminal Court (ICC) trial lawyer Edward Jeremy says former president Rodrigo Duterte, as commander-in-chief of the Philippines, incited the crowd to take the life of someone else’s child, not for a proven crime, but for a suspected struggle with drug addiction.… pic.twitter.com/XwJQow8CRD

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

5,823 INCIDENTSLOOK: The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution team presents a graph showing the geographical distribution of killings linked to the Philippines’ war on drugs, with at least 5,823 cases recorded from January 7, 2016 to March 18, 2019. | 📷: ICC•⁠… pic.twitter.com/mOvA20uTCp

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

LOOK: The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution presents the systematic features of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) operations, with former President Rodrigo Duterte at the top. | 📷: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/CgSLrZT8Wz•⁠ ⁠Watch our… pic.twitter.com/RwTpCigr0u

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

‘TO NEUTRALIZE MEANT TO KILL’International Criminal Court (ICC) trial lawyer Edward Jeremy cites evidence that the use of the word “neutralization” in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang means a kill order.•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/vi82bQKKQc

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

‘THE POLICE OFTEN USED THE TERM NANLABAN’Trial lawyer Edward Jeremy explains how Oplan Tokhang operated, detailing how targets were identified, how weapons and drugs were planted at crime scenes, and how police reports repeatedly used the term “nanlaban” (“fought back”),… pic.twitter.com/14Wp7XC9bz

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Legal expert Ruben Carranza shares insights on the crimes against humanity case that former President Rodrigo Duterte faces at the ICC.

INQUIRER’s Kathleen de Villa reports from the ICC on the prosecution’s naming of former President Duterte’s drug war co-perpetrators.

INQUIRER.net’s Eric Mendoza reports on the mood of drug war victims’ kin at a second watch party for former President Duterte’s ICC hearing.

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

'THE ONES WE HAD TO DO THE TOKHANG OPERATION ON HAD TO BE POOR'Trial lawyer Edward Jeremy discusses Project Tokhang under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, and a witness’s statement claiming the operation targets the poor. | 📷: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow our live… pic.twitter.com/Cv6wLqqAGD

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

'THE DUTERTE LIST'LOOK: The prosecution team of the International Criminal Court presents an alleged list of “high-value targets” said to be linked to the drug trade, which were named by former president Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency.Senior Trial Lawyer Edward Jeremy… pic.twitter.com/Ous6nkTP52

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Prosecution continues its submissions on the merits on the charges against former Rodrigo Duterte on Day 2 of ICC confirmation of charges hearing on Tuesday, February 24.“Mr. Duterte campaigned for the presidency that on the basis that if elected, he would implement his Davao… pic.twitter.com/tqr4v1nVZf

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

ICC DAY 2 BEGINSThe International Criminal Court begins the second day of its confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte. | 📷: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/CgSLrZT8Wz•⁠ ⁠Watch our special coverage here:… pic.twitter.com/YD89WGpFxa

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

‘INDIRECT DAHIL HINDI SIYA ANG NAG-PULL NG TRIGGER’Atty. Ruben Carranza explains the concept of the “indirect perpetrator,” which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has tagged former President Rodrigo Duterte with.“‘Indirect’ dahil hindi siya ang nagbaril. Hindi siya… pic.twitter.com/nXtgok8tO8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

LOOK: International law expert Rubin Carranza shares his views on the opening statements of the prosecutors and defense team during the confirmation of charges hearing for former President Rodrigo Duterte, which opened on Monday, Feb. 23.•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/1fhECXnYrh

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 24, 2026

Live coverage of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing on February 24, 2026, with real-time updates and key courtroom moments.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court is “historic,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said that Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, lead legal counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is relying on mere gossip.

MANILA, Philippines—As the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte got underway before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, a misleading claim resurfaced online: that only 78 people were killed in Duterte’s war on drugs

The DILG has begun tracing the whereabouts of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators in his ICC case, Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.

The prosecution and the counsel for the victims told judges at ICC that former President Rodrigo Duterte had created “mini-Dutertes”.

Critics and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte held their respective protest rallies in Manila.

Butuyan told ICC that the “plague of impunity” propagated by Duterte, through EJKs, has already reached migrant Filipinos overseas.

Norma Dollaga, the co-founder of Rise Up, a support group for families of EJK victims, was one of the several volunteers who translate.

One of the Filipino lawyers representing victims of Duterte’s drug war called on ICC to confirm the charges against the ex-chief executive.

ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls on Monday identified five of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s co-perpetrators.