Senator Bato, Senator Bong Go, at anim pang opisyal, kabilang sa 'common plan' ng drug war, ani ICC
- ICC prosecutors officially named Senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go as co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case vs. Rodrigo Duterte
- The "Document Containing the Charges" details a "common plan" to neutralize individuals through violent crimes, including murder
- Former top officials like Vitaliano Aguirre and Oscar Albayalde are also among the eight individuals identified in the prosecutorial filing
- The move comes ahead of the February 23 confirmation hearing in The Hague, where Duterte remains in international custody
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In a major legal breakthrough for the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings, prosecutors have formally identified Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go as alleged "co-perpetrators" in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Source: Facebook
The naming of the high-ranking officials was detailed in the Document Containing the Charges (DCC), a crucial prosecutorial filing released on February 13, 2026.
This document outlines a "common plan" or agreement to eliminate alleged criminals through violent means, including murder, during Duterte’s tenures as both Mayor of Davao City and President of the Philippines.
According to the DCC, Duterte did not act alone. The prosecution asserts that between November 2011 and March 2019, he collaborated with a network of high-level officials to execute a systematic campaign of violence.
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Senator Dela Rosa, who served as the Davao City Police chief and later as the head of the Philippine National Police, is tagged alongside Senator Bong Go, Duterte's longtime personal aide and former Special Assistant to the President.
Other prominent names identified in the document include:
Vitaliano Aguirre II: Former Justice Secretary.
Oscar Albayalde: Former PNP Chief.
Vicente Danao & Camilo Cascolan: Former top police officials.
Dante Gierran & Isidro Lapeña: Former heads of the NBI and PDEA, respectively.
The prosecution argues that these individuals provided the "structure of power" necessary to carry out at least 76 documented murders across three specific categories: the Davao Death Squad (DDS) operations, the targeting of "High-Value Targets," and the "barangay clearance" operations.
The release of this list comes just days before the highly anticipated Confirmation of Charges hearing set for February 23, 2026.
While Duterte remains in ICC custody at the Scheveningen Detention Center in The Hague following his March 2025 arrest, the legal status of his named co-perpetrators remains a subject of intense speculation.
Human rights lawyer Atty. Kristina Conti noted that while the identity of these co-perpetrators was expected, the public disclosure is a significant milestone.
"We have been waiting for this," Conti said, adding that it remains to be seen if formal arrest warrants have already been issued against the other named officials.
As the world watches The Hague, the inclusion of sitting senators in an international crimes against humanity case marks an unprecedented moment in Philippine political and legal history.
A couple of months ago, Senator Bong Go has categorically dismissed allegations linking him to contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who are currently under investigation for irregular flood control projects. The senator maintained he has no personal or professional connection to the Discayas, asserting that he is not involved in any anomalies associated with their business dealings. The controversy intensified after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon launched a probe into the Discayas' potential ties with CLTG Builders, a firm formerly owned by the senator’s father. Emphasizing transparency, Go urged authorities to formally file charges against any guilty parties, even if they are his relatives, provided wrongdoing is legally proven.
Previously, former Minority Leader Koko Pimentel challenged Senator Bong Go’s stance on the impeachment process involving Vice President Sara Duterte as the 2026 proceedings gain momentum. Go suggested that his fellow "senator-judges" should prioritize the immediate needs of the Filipino people over the legal complexities of the impeachment trial. During the session, Go remarked that an impeachment case "cannot be eaten," implying it is a secondary concern compared to the economic struggles of citizens. Pimentel countered by emphasizing that the pursuit of justice is a fundamental necessity for society and should not be sidelined for political or practical convenience.
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