MANILA, Philippines — Following the landmark decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to proceed with the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, legal attention is now shifting toward his high-ranking “co-perpetrators.” Victims’ lawyers suggest that these officials, including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, could face a broader range of charges beyond murder, specifically regarding the “severe deprivation of physical liberty” of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.
The development follows the April 22, 2026 ruling by Pretrial Chamber (PTC) I, which confirmed the charges against Duterte and cleared the way for a full-blown trial for crimes against humanity.
Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti noted that while the primary focus has been on drug war killings, the scale of arrests during the Duterte administration (2016–2022) presents a separate legal avenue for the ICC.
- The Scale: Lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman accidentally bolstered the victims’ case during pretrial hearings by citing that police made over 118,000 arrests between July 2016 and November 2017 alone. By the end of 2022, that number rose to approximately 300,000.
- Systematic Imprisonment: Conti argues that these mass arrests constitute “imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty,” which is a distinct crime against humanity under the Rome Statute.
- Bato’s Role: As the chief implementer of “Project: Double Barrel,” Senator dela Rosa is at the center of these allegations. He has been conspicuously absent from Senate sessions since late 2025, amid rumors that an ICC arrest warrant has already been issued.
The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has identified several key figures who allegedly worked alongside Duterte to carry out the systematic campaign:
- Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (Former PNP Chief)
- Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (Former Special Assistant to the President)
- Vicente Danao & Isidro Lapeña (Former Davao City Police Chiefs)
- Oscar Albayalde & Camilo Cascolan (Former PNP Chiefs)
- Vitaliano Aguirre II (Former Justice Secretary)
- Dante Gierran (Former NBI Chief)
Conti clarified that these individuals will face separate charges from Duterte, ensuring that their legal maneuvers do not delay the former president’s trial.
The number of officially recognized victims in the ICC case is expected to grow from an initial 539 to approximately 1,500 as the trial approaches.
- Trial Start: Lawyers project the trial could begin as early as October 2026 or by February 2027.
- Duration: Due to the complexity of the case and the likelihood of numerous appeals, legal experts warn the trial could last up to 10 years.
- Victims’ Sentiment: Sheerah Escudero, representing families of the victims, expressed a renewed sense of courage: “Just the thought that someone will be convicted for the killings is enough to give us the courage to continue fighting.”
ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet confirmed that the case will now be endorsed to a three-member trial chamber. This chamber will be responsible for drawing up the specific timeline and procedures for the presentation of evidence and witness testimonies.