The International Criminal Court (ICC) has released a redacted briefer posted on its official website, which mentions the surnames “Dela Rosa” and “Aguirre” in relation to the crimes against humanity case involving former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The document, although heavily edited for confidentiality, identified “Dela Rosa” as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during the height of Duterte’s controversial war on drugs. While the briefer did not explicitly provide full names, the reference appears to point to former PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who has been widely known as a key implementer of the anti-drug campaign.
The briefer also mentioned the surname “Aguirre,” though it did not specify any position or full identity. However, observers have noted that former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II served under the Duterte administration during the early years of the campaign, fueling speculation that the ICC may have been referring to him in the context of policy oversight or legal directives connected to the anti-drug operations.
The ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war centers on allegations of widespread extrajudicial killings and possible crimes against humanity. Human rights organizations have long accused Philippine authorities of conducting systematic operations that led to thousands of deaths, many of which reportedly targeted poor communities. The Philippine government, however, has consistently maintained that the campaign was a legitimate law enforcement effort against illegal drugs.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, now a prominent ally of Duterte in the Senate, has previously defended his role, saying he merely carried out the president’s orders as part of his mandate to lead the police force. He has also dismissed ICC’s proceedings, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines after the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Meanwhile, Aguirre has not issued any recent public statements regarding his possible mention in ICC documents. During his tenure as Justice Secretary, he had strongly defended Duterte’s war on drugs and rejected international criticism, insisting that the Philippines’ justice system was capable of addressing allegations of abuse.
The redacted ICC briefer does not yet confirm charges against the individuals mentioned, but its release highlights the continuing international scrutiny of Duterte’s drug war and the roles played by top officials in its execution.