The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber is proceeding against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Based on the documents submitted by his Defense team, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims, and other materials published on the ICC Registry between March 2025 and February 2026, here is a look at the numbers defining the case against the former President.

The Charges and the Casualties

3 Counts of crimes against humanity (murder and attempted murder) charged against former President Duterte, defined “thematically” in the Document Containing the Charges (DCC):

  • Count 1: Murders in or around Davao City during the Mayoral period by the Davao Death Squad
  • Count 2: Murders of “high-value targets” during the presidential period
  • Count 3: Murders and attempted murders in barangay clearance operations during the presidential period

(For Counts 2 and 3, the crimes are allegedly committed by members of the “national network,” referring to a network of perpetrators, composed of law enforcement officers, non-police assets, and hitmen)

49 Specific incidents of murder and attempted murder detailed, but currently redacted, in the DCC to support these counts.

78 Specific victims (76 murders, 2 attempted murders) listed in the DCC related to these 49 incidents. The Prosecution has clarified that these incidents and victims are a “non-exhaustive list” intended to provide examples of what it describes as a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population in the Philippines.”

1,700 The approximate number of people Mr. Duterte publicly claimed during a speech in December 2015 to have killed in Davao City during his time as Mayor.

5,281 The number of “drug personalities” who “died in anti-drug operations” between Jul 1, 2016 and Feb 28, 2019, as officially acknowledged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

20,322 The estimated total killings suggested by government data (3,967 “drug personalities who died in anti-drug operations” + 16,355 “homicide cases under investigation”) between Jul 1, 2016 and Nov 27, 2017, reported as occurring under “fighting illegal drugs” in the Duterte administration’s 2017 Year-End Report.

The Evidence

5,145 The total number of items of evidence disclosed by the Prosecution, and is now “in possession” by the Defense as of Feb 5, 2026.

49,676 The total number of pages of evidence disclosed to the Defense as of Feb 5, 2026, excluding hours of audio-video material.

129,358 The total number of items in the Prosecution’s internal database as of Apr 2025.

108 The number of additional items the Defense requested approval to add to its List of Evidence on Feb 18. 2026, as granted by the Pre-Trial Chamber on Feb 20, 2026. This is up from the 78 items granted by the Pre-Trial Chamber to be added to the Defense’s list on Feb 6. The Defense originally disclosed 30 items on Sep 5-11, 2025.

1,303 The volume of items of evidence disclosed by the Prosecution specifically between July and December 2025, which includes the following classified items:

  • 906 items, “INCRIM” or incriminating material
  • 389 items, Rule 77 evidence that Defense can inspect
  • 8 items, “PEXO” or potentially exonerating evidence

The Victims’ Participation

539 The total number of victims authorized by the Pre-Trial Chamber I to participate in the proceedings across two decisions:

  • 39 admitted in the first decision (29 Group A + 10 Group C)
  • 500 admitted in the second decision

The ICC Registry classifies applicants for the victim admission process into three categories: those who clearly qualify as victims (“Group A”); those who clearly do not qualify as victims (“Group B”); and those for whom the Registry could not make a clear determination for any reason (“Group C”).

531 The total number of applications for victim participation in the pre-trial proceedings, as assessed by the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (V

International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal established in 2002 by the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, it was created as a court of last resort to address the most serious international crimes when national judicial systems are unwilling or unable to do so.

Davao City

Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines by land area and a major economic hub of Mindanao. Historically, it was home to indigenous groups like the Bagobo before becoming a significant settlement under Japanese immigrant pioneers in the early 20th century and later a chartered city in 1936. Today, it is renowned as the “Durian Capital” and as the gateway to the country’s highest peak, Mount Apo.

Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia with a rich cultural history shaped by centuries of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial rule (1565-1898), and later American influence. Its key historical sites include the Spanish-era Baroque churches, the ancient Banaue Rice Terraces, and the historic city of Intramuros in Manila, reflecting its layered heritage. Today, it is known for its vibrant festivals, diverse languages, and resilient, welcoming people.

Davao Death Squad

The so-called “Davao Death Squad” is not a cultural site or place, but the name given to alleged vigilante groups involved in extrajudicial killings in Davao City, Philippines, primarily from the late 1990s onward. Its history is controversial and deeply intertwined with local politics and the nationwide “war on drugs,” with accusations linking it to figures like former President Rodrigo Duterte during his tenure as the city’s mayor. It represents a dark chapter of alleged state-sanctioned violence rather than a cultural heritage site.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is the lead anti-drug law enforcement agency in the Philippines, established in 2002 by Republic Act 9165. It was created to consolidate and strengthen the country’s efforts against illegal drugs, taking over the primary role from the Philippine National Police and other bodies. The agency’s history is closely tied to the nation’s various anti-drug campaigns, which have been a central and often controversial focus of domestic policy.

ICC Registry

The ICC Registry is the administrative and operational organ of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in 2002 alongside the Court itself, it supports judicial proceedings by managing court records, facilitating legal aid, protecting witnesses, and assisting detained persons. Its work is fundamental to the ICC’s mandate of prosecuting individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

Victims Participation and Reparations Section

The Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) is a key unit within the International Criminal Court (ICC) established to ensure victims can actively participate in proceedings and seek reparations for harms suffered. It was created under the Rome Statute to uphold victims’ rights, allowing them to present their views and concerns and facilitating court-ordered reparations, which can include compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation.

Pre-Trial Chamber I

Pre-Trial Chamber I is a judicial body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Its primary role is to oversee the early stages of cases, including authorizing investigations, issuing arrest warrants, and confirming charges before a trial. Established with the ICC under the Rome Statute in 2002, it ensures there is sufficient evidence for cases to proceed to trial.