International Criminal Court authorizes investigation into bloody Philippine drug war led by Duterte

MANILA — Judges at the International Criminal Court authorized an investigation Wednesday into possible crimes against humanity conducted during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent “war on drugs,” saying alleged extrajudicial killings represented a “widespread and systematic attack” against civilians.

The investigation opens a potential path for accountability in the Philippines, though any prosecution is likely to take years. Duterte, whose term as president expires next year, is maneuvering to find a successor who can protect him from prosecution.