International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have officially requested charges against Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, citing his involvement in thousands of killings during a notorious anti-drug campaign. These alleged crimes, which spanned from his time as mayor of Davao City to his presidency, are now poised to define his controversial tenure.

Documents made public on Monday by the ICC reveal that Duterte may have been instrumental in setting up "liquidation squads," including the infamous Davao Death Squad, and expanding their lethal operations across the nation after he assumed the presidency in 2016. The charges include detailed accounts of 49 specific murders. However, human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch suggest the death toll during the first 18 months of the anti-drug crusade alone surpasses 12,000 victims, primarily impoverished individuals and alleged drug offenders.

The prosecution's filings highlight how Duterte allegedly incentivized the killings with financial rewards and provided assurances of impunity to those carrying out these acts. His public exhortations for police to "go out and kill" suspected criminals are now part of the substantial evidence brought against him.

A troubling aspect noted by rights organizations is the pattern of police misconduct, including falsifying reports and planting drugs and weapons on victims to claim self-defense. Despite a reduction in the number of killings under the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reports of drug-related deaths persist.

The Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, which was a direct response to the launching of this investigation, has not deterred the court. The ICC maintains that it still has jurisdiction over crimes alleged to have occurred before the country's withdrawal.

The evidence and legal arguments presented in the recent documents are part of the prosecution’s effort to move forward with the case. These must be reviewed and confirmed by ICC judges before any trial can commence, setting the stage for a legal battle that could have significant implications for international law and justice.

This development marks a critical point in the ICC's efforts to hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity, potentially setting a precedent for future international legal proceedings against high-ranking officials.