ICC lists Go, Dela Rosa, Aguirre as alleged co-perpetrators in Duterte crimes vs humanity case

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has identified Senators Christopher Bong Go and Ronald Bato dela Rosa, along with former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, as among the alleged co-perpetrators of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case filed before the tribunal.

In a public lesser redacted version of the “Document Containing the Charges” (DCC) released ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing set to begin on 23 February, ICC prosecutors outlined individuals allegedly involved in what they described as a common plan to “neutralise” suspected criminals in the Philippines.

According to the prosecution, Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators “shared a common plan or agreement to ‘neutralise’ alleged criminals in the Philippines (including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production) through violent crimes including murder” from at least 1 November 2011 to 16 March 2019.

The prosecution said Go served as Duterte’s longtime assistant during his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as president, while Dela Rosa was Davao City police chief and eventually chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Duterte’s administration.

Aguirre, for his part, was identified as having served as legal counsel for Duterte and members of the so-called Davao Death Squad when Duterte was mayor, and later as Justice secretary during his presidency.

Also named as alleged co-perpetrators were former police officials Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, Oscar Albayalde, Dante Gierran, and Isidro Lapeña, who served in various capacities under Duterte during his time as Davao City mayor and president. Gierran also headed the National Bureau of Investigation.

The document further referred to “other members of the PNP and high-ranking government officials” as part of the alleged common plan.

The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial against Duterte before the ICC, which has been investigating alleged crimes linked to the administration’s anti-drug campaign.