He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown
The prosecutors at the Hague-based war crimes court have charged Duterte with three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, involving dozens of victims that accusers say were only a fraction of the real death toll in his clampdown on alleged drug users and criminals.
“Duterte’s so-called war on drugs resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians and many of these victims were children,” prosecutor Mame Niang said at the opening of pre-trial hearings meant to confirm charges.
“Mr Duterte must be held to account and this case should be confirmed for trial,” he said.
According to the prosecutors, Duterte created, funded and armed death squads to target and kill alleged narcotics peddlers and users.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
