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The International Criminal Court confirmed that Rodrigo Duterte attended the proceedings in The Hague wearing a dark suit and white shirt with no tie, sitting beside his defense team as judges addressed logistical matters including witness presentations and evidence disclosure. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner noted his presence and told the 81-year-old former leader that he could leave the courtroom at any time without seeking permission. The status conference marked a procedural step after Duterte had skipped earlier hearings while his lawyers cited health issues that they argued rendered him unfit for trial.
According to the ICC website, Duterte was arrested in Manila and surrendered to the court on March 12 2025 under a warrant issued days earlier, with his initial appearance taking place two days later via video link. Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed and then conducted confirmation of charges hearings earlier in 2026, ultimately deciding on April 23 that the case should proceed to trial. The chamber’s assessment found sufficient grounds to believe Duterte bore responsibility for the alleged crimes as an indirect co-perpetrator or through ordering and aiding their commission.
ICC prosecutors have charged the former president with three counts of crimes against humanity covering murder and attempted murder during his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as national leader. The counts focus on activities from November 2011 through March 2019, a period that includes the launch of his signature war on drugs as president from 2016 to 2022. An ICC deputy prosecutor stated in related proceedings that Duterte had promised to kill thousands and followed through on that pledge, though the specific incidents detailed in the charges represent only a sample of the wider pattern alleged.
ACLED data places the number of civilian deaths connected to the drug war at least 7,980 during Duterte’s full presidential term. The ICC prosecutor has referenced broader estimates ranging from 12,000 to 30,000 killings throughout the campaign, while Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency figures show 5,281 deaths in official anti-drug operations between July 2016 and early 2019. A University of the Philippines research team separately documented 3,859 verified killings from mid-2016 to mid-2021 based on media reports, underscoring the scale of violence that drew international scrutiny.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2019 under Duterte’s administration, but the ICC has asserted jurisdiction over offenses committed while the country remained a state party. Duterte’s defense team challenged the court’s authority in appeals that were ultimately denied with finality, according to ICC records. The upcoming trial, which Judge Korner set to begin on November 30, will represent the first time a former Asian head of state stands trial at the tribunal for such charges.
