Human rights organizations are calling for the immediate arrest of Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, along with other individuals identified as alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) crimes against humanity case. The ICC released a less redacted version of the document on February 13 containing charges against Duterte. The groups say arrest warrants are needed to prevent evidence destruction and witness intimidation.
In Manila, Philippines, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) and the Duterte Panagutin Network have launched a campaign for the immediate arrest of Duterte's alleged co-perpetrators in the context of the 'War on Drugs' from 2011 to 2019. ICHRP chairman Peter Murphy said, "So that they can also face trial, along with their boss Duterte." He added, “It remains abundantly clear that the Philippine judicial system is unable to prosecute these alleged co-perpetrators. While still at large they are a risk for destruction of evidence, intimidation of witnesses and also flight risks.”
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor released the less redacted version of the filing on February 13, originally submitted on July 4, 2025. Those named include former Philippine National Police chiefs Oscar Albayalde, Vicente Danao, and Camilo Cascolan; former National Bureau of Investigation director Dante Gierran; former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Isidro Lapeña; and former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with other PNP members and high-ranking government officials.
Senator Bong Go denied the allegations, stating, “Let me be clear, at no time did I have any involvement in, knowledge of, or authority over these allegations.” He said his roles were purely administrative with no relation to police operations. He added that Duterte never issued illegal orders to him.
The ICC declined to comment on whether arrest warrants have been requested, stating the investigation is ongoing. Duterte's legal counsel Nicholas Kaufman called the allegations “completely lacking in truth” and politically motivated. Aguirre also denied involvement, saying, “I am not involved in their accusations against me of crimes against humanity. I did nothing wrong.” He explained that as a lawyer, he did not participate in any extrajudicial killings, and as justice secretary, he facilitated meetings between victims' families, such as those of Kian delos Santos, and Duterte, leading to the conviction of involved policemen.
The ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for February 23, while Duterte has been detained in The Hague for 11 months.
