Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Charges
The ICC's case against Duterte is a significant step towards accountability for the thousands of people killed during his presidency. The trial is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes and provide justice for the victims and their families.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, 79, has appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) via video link to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign, which rights groups claim killed up to 30,000 people. Duterte, sounding frail, confirmed his name and date of birth, and was allowed to follow the proceedings in absentia due to his long flight to The Hague.
Duterte's lawyer argued that his client was "abducted" and "kidnapped" from the Philippines, and that he is suffering from "debilitating medical issues". However, the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, alleged that the campaign was a "widespread and systematic attack" that resulted in "potentially tens of thousands of killings". The ICC judges stated that the court doctor found Duterte to be "fully mentally aware and fit".
Prosecutors allege that Duterte's death squads killed thousands of people during his presidency, which ended in 2022. Duterte's surrender marks a significant victory for ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who also faces challenges in prosecuting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A confirmation of charges hearing is set for September 23, 2025, and a trial is expected to begin in early 2026.
The ICC's investigation into Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity is ongoing, and the Office of the Prosecutor has welcomed the arrest and transfer of Duterte. The Office is commencing preparations for his initial appearance and subsequent judicial proceedings before the Court, and hopes to engage with the Philippine authorities on potential avenues of cooperation to ensure accountability for the alleged crimes.
