THE International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry has begun transmitting applications from victims seeking to join the pre-trial proceedings in the case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte over his bloody war on drugs.
In a filing dated August 27, 2025, the Registry submitted 25 applications to Pre-Trial Chamber I, categorizing 15 under Group A and 10 under Group B.
The classification follows a structured framework for victim participation outlined in a court order issued on April 17, 2025.
The applications were assessed by the ICC’s Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS), which is tasked with reviewing requests and ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.
“The Registry hereby transmits to the Chamber 15 applications assessed by the Victims Participation and Reparations Section of the Registry as Group A applications and 10 applications assessed as Group B,” the document stated.
For security reasons, all documents related to the submissions remain confidential and accessible only to the Registry and the Chamber to protect the identities of those involved.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for the thousands of killings carried out during his years-long anti-drug campaign.
Prosecutors at The Hague estimate that between 12,000 and 30,000 civilians may have been killed in connection with the policy.
