ICC names Bato, Bong Go as Rody co-perpetrators

Ex-Duterte aide disputes allegations

- By JANVIC MATEO

Images are projected on the facade of the Binondo Church in Manila as the second phase of the Chinatown Revitalization Project was unveiled ahead of the Lunar New Year celebration during the visit of President Marcos on Friday evening.

(NOEL PABALATE)

Will two close allies – now both sitting senators – soon join former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague?

Sen. Bong Go, longtime aide of the former president, has been named one of the “co-perpetrators” along with Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and six others in an official document filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC prosecutor on Friday filed a less redacted version of the document containing charges against Duterte, which was first submitted to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I in July 2025.

The document - which will be read during the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte on Feb. 23 – contained details of the former president's involvement in the alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines from 2011 to 2019, when the country was a member of the ICC.

In a statement, Go branded as “unfair” his inclusion as co-perpetrator. “I dispute these allegations which are entirely unfounded, one-sided, unfair and bear no relation to the reality of my roles and responsibilities during my service as Special Assistant to the President from June 2016 to October 2018 as well as executive assistant to the mayor of Davao City from 1998 to 2016,” he said.

Go maintained that he has served in government with integrity and with the good of the people in mind.