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, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to his deadly “war on drugs.” Arrested and transferred to the tribunal in March 2025, the 81-year-old former leader is accused by prosecutors of creating, funding, and arming death squads that targeted drug users and dealers across the country. Duterte has denied the accusations, maintaining that he merely ordered police to act in self-defense during his anti-drug offensive.
Did You Know? Rodrigo Duterte is the first former head of state from Asia to face trial at the International Criminal Court. In 2018, he had announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the court after a preliminary investigation opened, but judges refused to dismiss the case on those grounds.
Court Appearance and Health Debates Ahead of Trial
During the Wednesday session in The Hague, Duterte remained silent while proceedings addressed evidence disclosure, his health status, and the timetable for his trial, which is scheduled to open on November 30. The former president had previously missed multiple hearings due to medical reasons. Defence lawyers submitted a court filing stating that severe cognitive decline and memory loss leave him unable to process new information or recall past events accurately. According to tests cited in an unpublished report by three medical experts, Duterte believes the current year is 2007 or 2008, places his own age at 84 or 85, and could not identify the sitting president of the United States. Despite these defense arguments, ICC judges ruled in January that Duterte remains healthy enough to stand trial and ordered his physical presence for the proceedings.
Charges and Competing Casualty Figures
The formal charges against Duterte encompass his alleged involvement in at least 76 murders committed between 2013 and 2018. This timeline spans his final years as mayor of the southern city of Davao and his subsequent term as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Following the hearings, prosecution lawyer Julian Nicholls summarized the state’s position, stating that the former president carried out his promise to kill thousands of his own people. The scale of the bloodshed remains a central point of contention in public records. Philippine police data indicates that 6,200 suspects died during official anti-drug operations. In stark contrast, human rights organizations and ICC prosecutors estimate that the overall death toll reached as high as 30,000.
Victims’ Reactions and Potential Case Expansion
The commencement of trial proceedings has drawn mixed reactions from families affected by the nationwide crackdown. Randy Delos Santos, a Filipino citizen whose teenage nephew was killed by police officers during Duterte’s presidency, expressed cautious optimism to the AFP news agency upon seeing the former leader attend the session physically fit. Legal representatives for other victims of the anti-drug campaign suggest that the progression of a full trial could embolden additional families to step forward with testimony or documentation. Analysts expect that ongoing witness disclosures will shape the courtroom dynamics as the November 30 trial date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges does Rodrigo Duterte face at the ICC?
He is charged with crimes against humanity, specifically involving the creation, funding, and arming of death squads that targeted drug users and dealers, as well as an alleged role in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018.
What is the defense position regarding his health?
His defense lawyers argue that he suffers from serious cognitive decline and memory loss, citing an unpublished medical report claiming he believes the year is 2007 or 2008 and cannot name the sitting US president. However, ICC judges previously ruled in January that he is healthy enough to stand trial.
How many deaths are linked to the anti-drug campaign?
Official Philippine police records state that 6,200 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations, whereas human rights groups and ICC prosecutors place the total death toll as high as 30,000.
Worth a look