Manila, April 23 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I on Thursday has confirmed all charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte, and committed him to a trial.

In a decision dated April 23, the three pre-trial judges concluded that there are "substantial grounds to believe" that Duterte was "criminally responsible" for the three counts of crimes against humanity brought by the ICC prosecutor against him.

The chamber said the crimes were committed as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population" in the Philippines between Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, in the context of the "war on drugs" campaign.

The pre-trial judges Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adelaide...