MANILA, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) is now investigating two more top officials from the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. These officials are being looked into because of their roles in Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which led to thousands of deaths, including extrajudicial killings. This was confirmed by an ICC lawyer in an interview on Wednesday.
Kristina Conti, a lawyer assisting in the ICC investigation, shared that from the beginning, there were three names mentioned in official ICC documents as the key figures responsible for the deadly anti-drug campaign. These individuals are:
- Rodrigo Duterte – Former President of the Philippines (2016-2022)
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa – Former Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 2016 to 2018
- Oscar Albayalde – Succeeded Dela Rosa as PNP Chief in 2018
What Did They Do?
Dela Rosa’s Role in the Drug War
When Rodrigo Duterte became President in 2016, he appointed Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as the country’s top police officer. Dela Rosa immediately launched an aggressive anti-drug campaign called “Oplan Tokhang.”
Under Oplan Tokhang, police officers would go door-to-door, asking suspected drug users and pushers to surrender. But instead of peaceful surrenders, the campaign turned violent. Thousands of people were killed in police operations or by unknown gunmen. Many of the victims were poor, and human rights groups claimed that innocent people were also targeted.
Dela Rosa strongly defended the campaign, insisting that it was the only way to eliminate drugs in the country. He often dismissed concerns from human rights advocates, saying that police were only doing their job. However, under his leadership, drug-related deaths skyrocketed. Many killings were labeled “deaths under investigation,” a term critics say was used to cover up state-sanctioned executions.
Albayalde’s Role and the Ninja Cops Scandal
When Dela Rosa’s term ended in 2018, Oscar Albayalde took over as the new police chief. He continued the war on drugs but tried to present a more controlled and professional image. However, killings and abuses did not stop.
In 2019, Albayalde was accused of protecting a group of police officers known as “ninja cops.” These were corrupt policemen who allegedly stole and resold confiscated illegal drugs. The scandal became a national controversy, forcing Albayalde to resign just a few weeks before his scheduled retirement.
More Police Officials Under Investigation
Lawyer Kristina Conti hinted that the ICC is also looking into at least three more high-ranking police officers who may have been involved in the deadly anti-drug campaign. However, since their names are not yet part of official documents, the details about their roles are still unclear.
She explained that the ICC’s goal is to hold accountable those who were most responsible for the killings. This means more names could be added to the case as the investigation continues.
What’s Next?
Even though the Duterte administration has ended, the effects of the drug war remain. Human rights organizations continue to document cases of police abuses and killings linked to the anti-drug campaign.
The Philippine government, under new leadership, has refused to cooperate with the ICC, arguing that the country’s justice system should handle these cases. However, Conti remains confident that the evidence against Duterte, Dela Rosa, and Albayalde is strong enough to move the case forward.
“We can expect more evidence or information to emerge regarding the participation of Bato, Albayalde, and possibly more names in the future,” she said.
The ICC’s investigation is a crucial step toward justice for the thousands of families who lost loved ones in the brutal war on drugs. As the case unfolds, the world is watching to see if those responsible for the killings will finally be held accountable.
