The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced on Thursday that it has formally confirmed the charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, paving the way for a forthcoming trial.
In a detailed statement, the court’s judges revealed that they had unanimously upheld all accusations against Duterte. They indicated that substantial evidence suggests his involvement in crimes against humanity, specifically in relation to murder and attempted murder.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, stemming from a series of killings that took place during his tenure as both president and mayor of Davao City. These actions were part of his controversial crackdown on drug addicts and alleged drug offenders.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the 81-year-old former leader will attend the trial. His defense team has expressed concerns about his mental fitness, noting that he was absent during preliminary hearings that assessed the legitimacy of the charges against him. The last glimpse of Duterte came during a brief video appearance, where he appeared visibly fatigued and struggled to articulate his words.
Duterte was arrested in March 2025 in Manila, the Philippine capital, under an arrest warrant issued by the ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague. His detention was orchestrated by local police forces, who swiftly transported him to the Netherlands.
Serving as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, Duterte had a lengthy political career that included 22 years as mayor of Davao City over seven non-consecutive terms. Prosecutors allege that he played a pivotal role in creating, funding, and equipping death squads responsible for executing both drug addicts and dealers.
Throughout his presidency, Duterte maintained that his directives to law enforcement were aimed at self-defense in the context of combating drugs—a stance he has fiercely defended. His declarations have often sparked controversy, including a notable moment in 2016 when he confessed to the BBC that he had personally killed three men during his time as mayor.
As the ICC prepares for this high-profile trial, the world watches closely, aware of the significant implications that may arise from the proceedings.
