A recent survey by OCTA Research revealed that over half of Filipino adults are in favor of the government cooperating with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into killings under the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.” The poll, conducted from December 10 to 14, found that 55% of adults support the government’s cooperation with the probe, while 45% are opposed. The survey also showed that 59% of adult Filipinos are in favor of rejoining the ICC, while 41% oppose the move. The highest approval for cooperation with the ICC investigation came from the Bicol region with 79%, while the Davao region, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, had the lowest support with only 6%. Across regions, the highest support for rejoining the ICC was observed in Northern Mindanao with 92%, while the lowest support was recorded in Davao region with 10%. The ICC authorized the inquiry in January 2023, noting that the Philippines’ initiatives to reexamine drug war killings did “not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps.” Official figures indicate over 6,000 people were killed during the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs”, but human rights groups estimate the true toll may be as high as 30,000.
