Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, along with other former law enforcement officials, have been identified by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the drug war case involving crimes against humanity.
Their names appeared in a lesser redacted version of the Document Containing Charges (DCC) submitted by the ICC Office of the Prosecution, dated Feb. 13, 2026. The document was originally published on July 4, 2025.
“At least between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019, DUTERTE and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan or agreement to ‘neutralise’ alleged criminals in the Philippines (including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production) through violent crimes including murder (“Common Plan”),” the Office of the Prosecutor said.
The ICC prosecution document identified several individuals as members of what it described as the “Common Plan,” including dela Rosa, who previously served as Davao City Police chief and later became chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Go, who served as Duterte’s personal aide and special assistant.
Also listed were Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, Oscar Albayalde, Dante Gierran, Isidro Lapeña, and Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with other members of the PNP and high-ranking government officials.
According to the prosecution, the individuals named allegedly played roles in coordinating the violent campaign during Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao City and later as president. The document claimed that police forces and non-police hitmen were used to carry out killings under what was referred to as the DDS or Davao Death Squad.
“During the Mayoral period, DUTERTE, Bong GO and above-mentioned law enforcement officials used police from Davao City and non-police hitmen (together, the DDS [Davao Death Squad]) to kill alleged criminals,” the document further read.
The Office of the Prosecutor said the alleged co-perpetrators maintained control over both the local police and the DDS, describing this as a mechanism that allowed them to influence and direct those who carried out the killings.
It also stated that the DDS allegedly operated under a structured hierarchy, with Duterte described as leading the group and lower-ranking members serving as the individuals who executed the crimes.
The prosecution further claimed that killings in Davao City required Duterte’s approval, and that individuals were recruited into the DDS based on trust and control by the alleged co-perpetrators.
“DUTERTE and his Co-Perpetrators used the DDS, including its low-level members, as tools to commit the crimes encompassed by the Common Plan. Those who did not follow orders risked being killed and were disposed of when perceived as opposing or posing a threat to the Common Plan,” it added.
Duterte remains under ICC custody after being arrested in March 2025 in connection with the alleged crimes. His confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled on Feb. 23, 2026.
