The investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators in the crime against humanity case he faces before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is ongoing, the tribunal’s spokesperson confirmed. However, court spokesperson Dr. Fadi El Abdallah declined to name the individuals involved, citing confidentiality.In an interview on Wednesday, El Abdallah said the prosecution is continuing its investigation into Duterte’s case, collecting additional evidence to present before the judges, which could potentially lead to arrest warrants for other key figures involved in the summary killings during Duterte’s administration.“The ICC prosecutor and his office are continuing the investigation, and if they gather sufficient evidence, they will present it to the judges who will then decide whether to issue arrest warrants or decline the requests,” he explained.“Investigations are ongoing, and confidentiality is crucial for ensuring the success of the investigation, so we cannot provide more details at this stage,” El Abdallah added.An ICC document dated 13 March showed that Duterte has nine co-perpetrators in the case, though their names had been redacted for confidentiality.Earlier, Duterte’s former spokesperson Harry Roque suggested that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a key figure in the controversial anti-drug campaign, might be among the co-accused, along with four former officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from 2016 to mid-2018, after which he was succeeded by Oscar Albayalde, who allegedly continued the brutal war on drugs which led to thousands of deaths, primarily in poor communities.Both former police chiefs have acknowledged the possibility they are being targeted by the ICC following Duterte’s arrest on 11 March.Albayalde has vowed to comply with an arrest order, while Dela Rosa said he plans to seek refuge in the Senate to avoid arrest by the ICC.More charges possibleThe arrest warrant against Duterte pertained to a single charge of murder. However, Abdallah explained that the charge could be expanded if the prosecution presents evidence of other offenses, such as rape and torture, which were included in the initial complaint.“Whether the prosecutor presents additional evidence or requests other charges will have to be submitted to the judges, who will decide on the matter,” Abdallah said.Article 7 of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, defines crimes against humanity as including murder, torture, rape, enforced disappearance and other acts that cause significant suffering or bodily harm.Abdallah said that in order to classify the actions as crimes against humanity, there must be evidence of a widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population.Currently, Duterte faces a single charge of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, allegedly committed between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019, including those carried out by the Davao Death Squad which Duterte claimed once included Dela Rosa.Dela Rosa has denied the allegations.