Yet on Monday in The Hague, that record of statements was cited back to Duterte.

Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity at the  International Criminal Court (ICC) linked to his anti-drug campaign. During the confirmation of charges hearing, prosecutors outlined a series of public remarks they said demonstrated his knowledge of, and intent behind, a campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.

In his opening statement, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang argued that Duterte’s own speeches showed awareness of the scale of the killings and the assurances extended to police officers and alleged vigilantes.

“Duterte's criminal plan and his intent were no secret,” Niang said. “He not only shared them with his co-perpetrators and members of the death squad (Davao Death Squad) but also made them abundantly clear to the general public in the numerous public statements that he made time and again.”

These are some of Duterte’s statements cited by the ICC prosecution:

“ The shoot-to-kill order is a legitimate tool of the government to combat lawlessness.”

The ICC said evidence indicated “the Davao City Mayor’s Office provided some members of the DDS with regular salaries. Financial rewards were also given to direct perpetrators in the form of cash per killing.”

“ For as long as there is the power to pardon in the Constitution, that’s my weapon against crime. If you massacre a hundred people, and there are a hundred of you, then I’ll pardon all of you. You’ll be restored to full political and civil rights, plus a promotion on top of that. That’s how it is — especially for high-profile cases.”

Niang said such statements “reassured the physical perpetrators,” citing an insider witness who said he felt confident killing under Duterte because he expected immunity. “Direct perpetrators were further emboldened to commit crime by Mr. Duterte's repeated promises of immunity,” he added.

“ Those of you who are still sober, those who haven't tried illegal drugs, if you don't want to die or get hurt, don't rely on the priest, including human rights advocates. They won't be able to prevent death, so don't do it. And then there you are, sprawled on the ground, and you are portrayed in a broad sheet like Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. That's how they are creating dramas here.”

The statement referenced a widely circulated photograph by Filipino photographer Raffy Lerma showing a woman cradling her partner’s body with a placard reading, “Pusher ako (I’m a drug pusher).”

Though not a primary focus of the hearing, Duterte also made statements during the COVID-19 lockdowns that prosecutors described as potentially threatening, including instructions to shoot violators if their lives were in danger. 

The Philippines implemented one of the world’s longest pandemic lockdowns, which had significant social and economic impacts.

“ If there is any trouble, or occasions when there’s violence and your lives are in danger, shoot them dead!”

Duterte faces three counts of murder and attempted murder spanning his mayoral and presidential terms. The ICC links him to 78 killings and attempted killings, which prosecutors argue were neither “random” nor “isolated.”

“They were part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population of the Philippines,” Niang said. “The murders and attempted murders were carried out across the Philippines and over a substantial period of time.”

Yet even without citing his statements, the ICC prosecution maintains it has enough evidence to proceed.

“For purposes of this confirmation hearing, disregard every speech ever made by Mr. Duterte. Throw them all out,” said senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls. “There is still ample evidence of substantial ground based on the other evidence which we have put on our list."

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign as president and earlier as mayor of Davao City.

The messages were amplified by Greco Belgica, a former head of the country’s anti-corruption commission under Duterte.

“We ask for your help in bringing home the former President arrested and detained by the ICC. Our goal is for both the current and former leaders to face justice in our own Philippine courts,” read the message.

Supporters have sought to draw parallels between the Philippines and Venezuela following the US operation in Caracas. 

Washington has accused Maduro of leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns, an alleged drug-trafficking network involving senior Venezuelan officials, and of overseeing cocaine shipments into the United States . He faces charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Duterte, by contrast, built his political identity on a brutal crackdown on drugs, repeatedly vowing to have users and dealers killed. His successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has said his administration is pursuing a “bloodless” anti-drug campaign, although official figures show deaths linked to drug operations remain. 

One widely shared message addressed to Trump framed the Philippines’ problems as mirroring Venezuela’s. 

The widely shared message addressed to Trump framed the Philippines’ problems as mirroring Venezuela’s. 

“Our country, the Philippines, is facing a massive struggle with drugs, government corruption, and the protection of our oil and trade territories in the West Philippine Sea—very similar to your issues in Venezuela,” it said.

The stated aim of the appeal was to have Duterte tried domestically rather than at the ICC. 

“We want to restore the rule of law within our own borders,” the message read.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, now facing a potential Interpol red notice request, has claimed that the ICC has issued a war rant for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa over his role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war. Roque offered no source for his information.

“Sen. Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Don’t let yourself be kidnapped!” Roque said in a Facebook post, urging the senator to insist on being brought before a Philippine court first. His warning also echoed the “kidnapping” narrative that supporters tried to frame Duterte’s arrest in.

The Department of Justice has yet to confirm the claim. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed in November that an ICC warrant already existed, though the document has never been made public. Since then, Dela Rosa has stopped attending Senate sessions.

Dela Rosa asked the Supreme Court to compel the Ombudsman to release the supposed warrant, but the high court rejected his petition. The Office of the Solicitor General maintains there is no official basis for fears of an ICC arrest.

Dela Rosa, Duterte’s former police chief, is considered one of the architects of Oplan Tokhang , the anti-drug campaign that killed at least 6,000 people according to government data. Human rights groups estimate the death toll at up to 30,000.

On Monday, Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said the senator is simply waiting for official procedure before facing any ICC order — if it exists. He said neither Dela Rosa nor his legal team has seen an actual warrant.

“We should have clear-cut implementing rules,” Torreon said, adding that cooperation with the ICC must follow both the Rome Statute and Philippine law . He said he believes a warrant may already have been issued but cannot confirm it.

Torreon also defended Dela Rosa’s continued absence from the Senate, saying it stemmed from legitimate concerns for the senator’s safety. He warned that Dela Rosa could be picked up and taken to the ICC without legal safeguards, which he called unacceptable.

Despite criticism, Torreon said they welcome public scrutiny: “It means they are really keeping an eye on Sen. Bato.”

The Senate does not implement a “no work, no pay” rule for its members, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Other senators have confirmed that Dela Rosa failed to submit any formal excuse for missing work.

Dela Rosa was scheduled to defend the defense department’s budget — a key responsibility assigned to him — but skipped the hearings. According to Senator Win Gatchalian, he received only a text message from Dela Rosa’s staff asking him to take over the task.

Sotto expressed disappointment but admitted that the chamber has no mechanism to sanction absentee senators.

An ICC legal assistant, Kristina Conti, criticized Dela Rosa for “hiding” instead of fulfilling his duties, saying he was elected to serve the public, not to shield the former president.

Philippine officials have issued conflicting statements about the supposed ICC warrant. While the justice chief has insisted he has a copy, his own agency says it has not received one. The ICC itself has not confirmed the warrant’s existence.

Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, is considered a central figure in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which is under ICC investigation for thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings.

While Dela Rosa remains absent from the Senate, he continues to post on social media.

The Israeli leader argued that his government has urged civilians to evacuate combat zones while Hamas, which he labelled a “genocidal terrorist organisation,” has tried to prevent them from leaving. He accused the militant group of being the true instigator of mass suffering.

Netanyahu’s remarks came after months of intensifying scrutiny over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and most of the territory’s residents displaced. Human rights groups and aid agencies have warned of famine, disease and total collapse of basic services.

In a landmark report released this month, a UN commission concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet four of the five acts of genocide defined under international law, including killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting life-destroying conditions , and preventing births.

Separately, the International Court of Justice is hearing a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel has fiercely rejected. Earlier this year, the ICJ ordered Israel to ensure humanitarian aid reached civilians, but UN monitors say those orders have largely been ignored.

Despite the mounting legal challenges, Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the military campaign against Hamas, insisting Israel will “finish the job.” He accused critics of “turning the truth on its head” by equating Israel with genocidal regimes.

What they said

“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,” the three countries said in their joint statement , adding that the court had “transformed into an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism.” They accused the tribunal of being “a global example of selective justice” and declared their intention to develop “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday, September 9, began presenting evidence in the court’s first-ever in absentia hearing against fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony. The ICC accuses Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), of 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The militia terrorised northern Uganda from the 1980s before expanding attacks into Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, and was notorious for using child soldiers, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women. Some Ugandans, including lawyer Okello Herbert, welcomed the proceedings, saying victims are deeply invested in the case. Judges will determine whether to confirm the charges, but Kony can only be tried if taken into custody.

Uganda Cancer Institute trains oncology super specialists

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has graduated 28 fellows from its two-year fellowship programme, designed to address the country’s shortage of highly skilled oncologists. UCI Director Dr. Jackson Orem described the graduates as “super specialists” with advanced training in oncology after completing prior specialisation in fields such as gynaecology, internal medicine, and paediatrics. He noted the milestone would improve access to high-quality cancer care and strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.

Uganda to host Africa’s first AI factory at Karuma

Uganda will host Africa’s first artificial intelligence factory inside the 600MW Karuma Hydropower Plant. The Aeonian Project, a 100MW hyperscale facility supported by global partners including Germany’s GIZ, Finland’s HAUS, and the EU Development Fund, will roll out in stages from 2026 to 2028. The first phase includes a 15MW AI module and a 10MW supercomputer, both fully powered by renewable energy. Oladele Oyekunle, CEO of Synectics Technologies, said the initiative will allow Africa to retain control of its data backbone and enable researchers to build AI models grounded in local languages and data.

Entebbe Airport enters final phase of $325m upgrade

Uganda is moving forward with the last phase of its $325 million expansion of Entebbe International Airport, aimed at transforming it into a modern regional hub. The project, which has already completed its first $200 million phase, includes terminal upgrades, new baggage handling systems, and increased passenger capacity. The second phase, worth $125 million, is now underway after COVID-19 delays. Authorities say the modernisation is part of Uganda’s Vision 2040 strategy to enhance tourism, boost trade, and strengthen international connectivity.

Uganda and South Korea launch rice seed project

Uganda and the Republic of Korea have launched a five-year, $3.9 million rice seed project under the Korea Rice Belt Program. The initiative, based in the Tochi Irrigation Scheme in Oyam District, aims to boost yields, improve farmer incomes, and reduce Uganda’s reliance on rice imports. Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze called it a timely intervention for food security. The project will rehabilitate 50 hectares of farmland, provide over 13,000 metric tons of high-quality rice seed, and train farmers in sustainable production practices.

The government's statement confirmed Duterte's custody following the ICC's notification of the warrant after ongoing investigations into mass killings during his presidency from July 2016 to March 2019.

Reports suggest that between 12,000 and 30,000 individuals were killed amidst Duterte's violent crackdown on illegal drugs, primarily involving young men from impoverished urban areas. This extensive violence has been scrutinised by the ICC, which found reasonable grounds indicating that these acts could be classified as both widespread and systematic, constituting crimes against humanity.

Duterte's arrest was met with public protests from his aides, claiming his constitutional rights were violated. One of Duterte's associates expressed concerns over the legality of the arrest.

Around 4,000 suspects were reported dead due to police actions during the drug war, prompting families of victims to seek justice through the ICC due to perceived inadequacies within the Philippine legal system.

The ICC's investigation spans from November 1, 2011, during Duterte's tenure as mayor of Davao City, to March 16, 2019. Duterte has made conflicting statements about his involvement in extrajudicial killings, claiming he did not order them while acknowledging the existence of a death squad during his mayoralty. In 2019, he withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute, viewed as a move to evade accountability for the alleged abuses.

While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. currently governs and has chosen not to rejoin the ICC, his administration has stated willingness to cooperate if ICC issues a Red Notice for Duterte’s arrest. The ICC operates from The Hague and addresses severe international crimes when local systems fail to act against perpetrators.

At a G7 foreign ministers meeting near Rome, Borrell emphasised on Tuesday, November 26, the importance of EU member states adhering to their commitments under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.

He pointed out the inconsistency in applauding the ICC's actions against Russian President Vladimir Putin while hesitating to support similar actions against Israeli officials.

"All member states of the European Union have signed the Rome Convention. And it is not something that you can pick and choose. You cannot applaud when the court goes against Putin and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu," Borell told reporters. "Like it or not, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a court, as powerful as any national court. And if the Europeans don't support the International Criminal Court, then there will not be any hope for justice."

The ICC on Thursday, November 21, issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

However, Hungary has expressed dissatisfaction with the ICC's ruling, suggesting it will not implement it.

According to Euronews , the country's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called the warrants "outrageously impudent” and “cynical”. He further announced he would rather invite Israel's Netanyahu to travel to Budapest.

"We are ready to end the war in Gaza, but we will be able to do that when our objectives are achieved," Saar said in an AFP footage.

In addition to this revelation, Saar noted that it is so unfair that Israel is not allowed to fully exercise its rights of self-defence, citing legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"This country (Israel) is attacked with an effort to deny its right to self-defence. I see the proceedings in the international legal forums, in the Hague, the ICC and the ICJ, as a part of this effort to deny Israel's right to self-defence," he explained.

However, in the case of a Lebanon ceasefire, the official hinted at "certain progress" in ensuring one with the United States of America.

"We are working with the Americans on the issue," Saar said in response to a question about a possible ceasefire in Lebanon.

The attorneys of the former gynaecologist declared that they would be filing an appeal against the decision.

He was accused of signing a motion endorsing the provisional government set up following the attack on Hutu President Juvénal Habyarimana's plane, which in turn facilitated the massacres that took place between April and July 1994.

The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which lasted for approximately 100 days, resulted in about one million Tutsis and a few Hutus and other ethnic groups who opposed the genocide being killed by extremist Hutus.

“I have placed the agenda of prevention at the centre of our work… the whole basis of international criminal justice illustrates that perpetrators can no longer assume impunity… the remarkable work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda , the first court in history to convict an individual of genocide – was instrumental in this effort,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the 28th International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda .