Duterte Appears Before ICC Over Drug War Killings

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the first time on September 16, 2026. He faces charges of crimes against humanity connected to killings carried out during his “war on drugs,” both while he was mayor of Davao and later while he was president of the Philippines. Prosecutors allege that Duterte created, funded, and armed death squads that targeted drug users and dealers. Duterte denies the accusations and says he only instructed police to act in self-defence during the anti-drug campaign. The 81-year-old Duterte remained silent during a hearing focused on his health, the disclosure of evidence, and preparations for a trial scheduled to begin on November 30. He had previously missed hearings on medical grounds. His lawyers argue that severe cognitive decline and memory loss make him unable to understand new information or reliably recall the past. They cited medical tests suggesting that Duterte believes the year is 2007 or 2008, misstates his age, and could not identify the current US president. ICC judges nevertheless ruled in January that he was fit to stand trial and ordered him to attend proceedings. The case concerns at least 76 alleged murders between 2013 and 2018. Philippine police report that 6,200 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations, while human rights groups and ICC prosecutors estimate that the broader death toll may be as high as 30,000. Prosecutors characterized Duterte’s campaign as the systematic killing of Filipinos, while relatives of victims said his appearance could mark the beginning of a long-awaited justice process. Lawyers representing victims believe a full trial may encourage more families to come forward. Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to face trial at the ICC. The Philippines withdrew from the court in 2018 after it opened a preliminary investigation, but judges later refused to dismiss the case on that basis.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the first time since his arrest in Manila in March 2025. Duterte, 81, is accused of crimes against humanity linked to his “war on drugs,” a campaign carried out during his presidency from 2016 to 2022 and earlier during his tenure as mayor of Davao. The ICC is examining alleged killings between November 2011 and March 2019, when Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the court’s jurisdiction. Duterte attended a status hearing wearing a dark suit and white shirt but did not speak. He waved to relatives in the public gallery after the proceedings. Previously, he had appeared by video link and missed several hearings. His lawyers argue that declining health and significant memory impairment have made him unable to work effectively with his legal team or stand trial. Prosecutors dispute that claim, and judges have ordered an assessment by three medical specialists. The assessment has not been made public, although defence lawyers reportedly say it found that Duterte was confused about the year, his age and the identity of former US President Donald Trump. A trial is currently scheduled to begin on 30 November, but the court must first determine whether Duterte is mentally fit to face proceedings. Relatives of people killed during the anti-drug campaign watched the hearing from Manila. Some welcomed his appearance and said they hoped his apparent physical condition would allow the hearings to proceed more quickly. The article also places Duterte’s case within the Philippines’ wider political conflict. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is engaged in a major feud with President Ferdinand Marcos after the alliance that helped them win the 2022 election collapsed. Sara Duterte is a potential 2028 presidential candidate but faces an impeachment trial over alleged misuse of public funds and threats against Marcos and other officials.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person appearance before judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a pretrial hearing on Wednesday. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to killings allegedly carried out during his campaign against illegal drugs. He served as president from 2016 to 2022 and denies the allegations. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and had missed several hearings, appearing previously by videolink. His lawyers argue that he is in poor health and suffers from significant cognitive and memory impairment, making it difficult for him to retain recent information or reliably access his memories. The ICC judges ruled in January that he was fit enough to follow proceedings and ordered him to attend the hearing in person. Prosecutors maintain that Duterte is capable of exercising his procedural and fair-trial rights and is fit to stand trial. The charges cover alleged crimes committed between 2011 and 2019, first while Duterte was mayor of Davao and later while he was president. Prosecutors accuse him of responsibility for a systematic campaign that resulted in the deaths of at least 30,000 people, many of them during anti-drug raids. Duterte’s legal team disputes the allegations. The pretrial hearing focused on arguments concerning Duterte’s health and mental fitness. His trial is scheduled to begin in November. The proceedings represent a significant step in the ICC case against a former national leader whose anti-drug campaign has faced widespread allegations of unlawful killings and human-rights abuses.