International Criminal Court disclosed the names of eight former and current Philippine officials, including Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, who the Office of the Prosecutor identified as part of the “hierarchy” in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s antidrug campaign, according to a document released Saturday ahead of confirmation of charges hearings set for Feb. 23 in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I made public a “lesser redacted” version of the prosecutor’s July 24, 2025 preconfirmation brief to determine whether Duterte will stand trial for the crime against humanity of murder.
The document stated that the eight officials exercised “de facto authority” over local police officers and other gunmen allegedly involved in killings linked to the drug war, which prosecutors traced to a command structure that began with the Davao Death Squad when Duterte served as mayor of Davao City.
Also identified were former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II; former Davao City police chiefs Vicente Danao Jr. and Isidro Lapeña; former Philippine National Police chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Camilo Cascolan; and former National Bureau of Investigation director Dante Gierran. Cascolan has died.
The Office of the Prosecutor said the killings became “widespread” after Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016 and appointed senior police officials to implement “Project Double Barrel,” which it said Dela Rosa directed. Authorities have reported more than 6,200 deaths during the campaign, excluding earlier killings beginning in November 2011. Human rights groups have estimated the toll could reach 30,000.
Prosecutors alleged that Duterte and the eight officials “shared a common plan” to neutralize suspected criminals through violent crimes, including murder. The document described a hierarchical structure in which hit men reported to handlers who in turn reported to police officials and co-perpetrators, including Dela Rosa, Danao and Go, before reaching Duterte, whose approval was allegedly required for killings in Davao City.
Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti said the disclosure of the names does not indicate imminent arrests and that any warrants would remain confidential to ensure enforcement. She added that prosecutors retain discretion on whom to charge based on a strategy to pursue those deemed “most responsible,” but said it was “highly likely” arrest warrants would be issued. She noted that those named would not be tried in the same case as Duterte.
The case against Duterte alleges criminal responsibility for the murders of 76 people and the attempted murder of two others. Victims identified in the redacted brief include 17-year-old Kian delos Santos and 43-year-old Benjamin Visda. Others cited were Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., and drug suspect Raul Yap, who were killed in separate incidents.
Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman said the defense would show that the allegations against the named officials were “completely lacking in truth.” He added that none of them were currently subject to arrest warrants and cited a pending challenge to the court’s jurisdiction over Duterte’s case.
Dela Rosa has been in hiding since November after Jesus Crispin Remulla said, without presenting proof, that the ICC had issued a warrant against him. Conti said the officials named are not yet considered suspects at this stage.
Prosecutors also accused Go of facilitating a rewards system for individuals involved in the antidrug campaign. Conti said the court’s assessment of his role would determine potential liability.
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the disclosure “made the world smaller” for Duterte and his associates but warned they might evade authorities. She added that accountability should follow for killings linked to the drug war.
