Updated on 27/03/2025

Background

Read here detailed information on the procedural history of the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines before the International Criminal Court.

Warrants of Arrest

On 7 March 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a warrant of arrest for Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the former president of the Republic of the Philippines, for the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 on the territory of the Philippines.

You can find more information on the case of the Prosecutor V. Rodrigo Roa Duterte here. 

Scope of the investigation conducted by the Office of the Prosecutor into the Philippines Situation

On 7 October 2021, the Office of the Prosecutor, following judicial authorisation,  announced the opening of an investigation into the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines, encompassing “crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, as well as any other crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court, which are sufficiently linked to these events.”

On 12 March 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor confirmed that the Office’s investigation in the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines continues.

The rights of victims to participate in proceedings and their communication with the Court

Before the ICC victims who have suffered harm in relation to crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the Court (at the situation stage) or that fall within the scope of  a case (in case proceedings) are entitled to  participate in proceedings and, in case of conviction, to also request reparations. The right to participate means that victims can present their views and concerns to the Court, at stages of proceedings considered appropriate by the Judges, where their personal interests are affected.

For information on victims’ participation in the case of the Prosecutor V. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, please click here.

At the investigation stage, victims can communicate with the Court in a number of ways:

• Anyone (e.g. individual, organisation or State) can send information to the Office of the Prosecutor regarding any alleged crimes in the  Philippines Situation falling under the jurisdiction of the Court. Persons with such information, including affected communities of the situation, can communicate to the Office of the Prosecutor any relevant information for the purpose of the investigation on the following dedicated portal: https://otplink.icc-cpi.int/

• Victims of violence related to the Philippines Situation that may amount to crimes falling under ICC jurisdiction may also reach out to the Court with a view to being recognized as victims for the purpose of participation in criminal proceedings against the suspect.

For more information about victims’ rights before the ICC, victims can contact the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (“VPRS”) - the section within the ICC Registry responsible for assisting victims in the process of applying for participation in judicial proceedings, or for reparations in case of a conviction, at [email protected].

In particular, victims can fill in and submit to the ICC Registry application forms for participation in proceedings and for reparations. The Registry receives these forms  and transmits them in original form to the judges (and to the parties in redacted form) when judicial proceedings arise, and if ordered to do so.

Please note that before filling in a victim application form, it is advised that victims and survivors or their representatives contact the VPRS for further information and advice as to what participation in ICC proceedings generally entails. In addition, the VPRS provides training and advice as to how to fill in the form correctly (see also the written Guidelines below), which is very important for victims' expectations to be met with adequate Registry advice.

• Victim application forms can be found below, alongside relevant guidelines. Currently, all relevant documentation is accessible in English and French; versions in the relevant situation-related languages will follow soon.

Victims’ safety and security

Please note that the security of victims is crucial. It is important to take preventive measures such as avoiding mentioning their involvement with the ICC to others/publicly. It is also important to avoid anything that could expose victims and put them or other people at risk, e.g. talking to the media, posting on social media, etc. about their contacts with the ICC.