ICC prosecutor alleges Duterte drew up 'death lists' and boasted about murders

An ICC prosecutor claims that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte created 'death lists' and openly boasted about murders, with judges set to weigh charges.

25 Feb, 00:45 — 25 Feb, 00:51

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2 sourcesNo spread2 regions

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Why this matters

This story is significant because it involves an international criminal court investigating a former head of state for alleged crimes against humanity, specifically related to the Philippines' controversial "war on drugs." The ICC's decision on whether to proceed with a trial could set a precedent for accountability for leaders accused of human rights abuses and has major implications for international justice and Philippine sovereignty.

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 2 sources cover this story

Both Rappler and Japan Times report on the ICC prosecutor's allegations that former Philippine President Duterte created 'death lists' and boasted about murders during his drug war. While Japan Times focuses on the procedural aspect of the ongoing hearing, Rappler delves into specific details revealed by the prosecution, including the socio-economic status of victims and police terminology.

What sources agree on

The ICC prosecutor alleges that former President Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders.
A pre-trial hearing is taking place this week regarding these allegations against Duterte.

Where they diverge

Focus of the ICC hearing coverage

Rappler

Emphasizes specific details revealed by the prosecution, such as drug war victims being poor and police using the term 'neutralize'.

japan-times

Focuses on the procedural purpose of the hearing, which is for judges to decide whether to proceed with a trial.

Key claims1 agreed · 5 unverified

✓

The ICC prosecutor alleges Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders.

agreed·Rapplerjapan-times

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’.

unverified·Rappler

Police used the word ‘neutralize’ to emphasize.

unverified·Rappler

Coverage gaps

Specific revelations from the prosecution, including victims being poor, ‘Tokhang’ secrets, and police using ‘neutralize’.

ReportedRappler

Missingjapan-times

The purpose of the hearing being to weigh whether to move ahead with a trial for the former Philippine president.

Reportedjapan-times

MissingRappler

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

External Fact-Checks

Claims matched against human-vetted fact-check databases

✗False

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has been released from detention as the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to dismiss his crimes against humanity case.

Rappler·25 Feb 2026Read →

✗False

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte related to his war on drugs.

Rappler·14 Nov 2025Read →

✗False

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Rappler

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

Center

japan-times

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

DuterteFormer Philippine president accused by ICC ICC prosecutorAlleges Duterte's involvement in murders ICCInternational Criminal Court conducting the hearing PhilippinesCountry where alleged crimes occurred

Coverage Timeline

First report: japan-times · 25 Feb, 00:45|Full coverage: All 2 sources within 7m|Window: 7m

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

japan-times25 Feb, 00:45First to report

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

Rappler25 Feb, 00:51Latest update

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

Read at source (2 outlets)

Rappler2d ago

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

The prosecution, citing insider information, reveals ‘Tokhang’ secrets on the second day of the pre-trial hearing, including a witness who stated that the police used the word ‘neutralize’ to emphasize Duterte's alleged kill order

By Lian Buan

Read full article →

japan-times2d ago

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

Judges will weigh at this week’s “confirmation of charges” hearing whether to move ahead with a trial for the former Philippine president

Read full article →

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

ICC prosecutor alleges Duterte drew up 'death lists' and boasted about murders

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims1 agreed · 5 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

External Fact-Checks

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

Center

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

Right-leaning

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

Read at source (2 outlets)

Duterte drug war victims ‘had to be the poor’

Duterte drew up ‘death lists’ and boasted about murders: ICC prosecutor

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PERSPECTA

Why this matters

Key entities

Perspective Analysis

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims1 agreed · 5 unverified

Coverage gaps

External Fact-Checks

Coverage matrix