Duterte’s drug war targeted the poor, killed children — ICC prosecutionMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution continued to establish its case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, reiterating a point made by activists and victims: the war on drugs was a war on the poor; one that resulted in the death of children. ICC lawyer Edward Jeremy continued the prosecution team’s case buildup, establishing the systemic pattern in which Duterte’s drug war was perpetuated on a national scale. "When Duterte said that someone should be killed, they ended up dead," Jeremy said. The prosecution also focused on the children killed in the campaign. Kill them, not because they are an alleged druglord, not even an alleged criminal, but simply because they may have an addiction to drugs.” Jeremy said.

Source: Philippine Star February 24, 2026 11:32 UTC