By Brian Campued
At least six in 10 Filipinos or 62% believe that former President Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to the latest survey conducted by WR Numero Research Poll from March 31–April 7.
In its survey results released Friday, WR Numero said 20% disagreed on Duterte’s ICC trial while 19% said they were unsure.
About 52% of the respondents, likewise, agreed that Duterte should be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his “war on drugs” campaign between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019 or when he was mayor of Davao City and as president; while 24% disagreed and 25% were unsure.
The same survey found that 61% believe that “the investigation and subsequent trial will help uncover the truth” about the reported extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign as 75% agreed that “no one, including former presidents” should be above the law.
Meanwhile, 61% also believe it is important to bring Duterte’s co-perpetrators to trial at The Hague, Netherlands, while 66%—or at least two in three Filipinos—want President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize investigating and prosecuting police officers may have abused their authority while executing Duterte’s drug war policy.
About 66% of the respondents said the Philippines should allow the ICC to do its job, while at least 53% trust that the international tribunal would hold a fair investigation and trial of Duterte.
The nationwide survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews of 1,894 registered voters in the Philippines. It has a margin of error ±2% at a 95% confidence level, WR Numero said.
Duterte was arrested in the Philippines on March 11 and made his first appearance via video link before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on March 14, where the identity of the accused was verified and the charges against him were properly and clearly communicated with him.
The former president is currently detained in The Hague, while awaiting the confirmation of charges hearing set on Sept. 23, 2025. The procedure, the Court explained, will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds against the accused to hold the trial phase of the proceedings.
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