**Duterte Appears at ICC for First Time Amid War on Drugs Charges**
The Hague, Netherlands – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on September 16, 2026, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial "war on drugs." This significant event marks a pivotal moment in international legal history, as Duterte is the first former head of state from Asia to stand trial at the ICC.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, has been accused of orchestrating a brutal campaign that allegedly resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Prosecutors claim that he created, funded, and armed death squads targeting drug users and dealers during his tenure. The charges specifically relate to at least 76 murders that occurred between 2013 and 2018, a period when he was mayor of Davao City before ascending to the presidency.
The former president was arrested and transferred to the ICC in March 2025. During the recent hearing, which focused on his health, evidence disclosure, and the trial schedule, Duterte remained silent. His lawyers previously indicated that he had missed earlier hearings due to health concerns, citing cognitive decline that they argue renders him unfit for trial. In a filing submitted to the court, they claimed that Duterte suffers from significant memory loss, stating that he believes the current year is 2007 or 2008 and that he is 84 or 85 years old. Furthermore, they noted that he could not identify the sitting president of the United States.
Despite these claims, ICC judges ruled in January that Duterte was healthy enough to participate in the proceedings and mandated his presence at the trial. The court is set to begin the trial on November 30, 2026.
During the session, the prosecution underscored the gravity of the allegations against Duterte. Julian Nicholls, representing the prosecution, stated, "Decades of murdering his own people, murdering the children of the Philippines, and he claims that he did it all for his country. He doesn’t deny it." He emphasized that Duterte's pledge to eliminate drug-related crime resulted in a significant death toll, with Philippine police reporting around 6,200 suspects killed in anti-drug operations. However, rights groups and ICC prosecutors estimate the actual number of deaths could be as high as 30,000.
The appearance of Duterte at the ICC has elicited mixed reactions. Randy Delos Santos, a Filipino whose teenage nephew was killed during Duterte's presidency, expressed hope that this trial could lead to justice for victims of the anti-drug campaign. "Seeing that he is physically fit, we believe this could be the start of a process that will finally bring us, the victims, the justice we have been waiting for," he told AFP.
Legal representatives for other victims of Duterte’s policies have argued that a full trial could encourage more families to come forward with their stories, potentially leading to a broader reckoning regarding the human rights abuses that occurred during his administration.
Duterte's relationship with the ICC has been contentious. In 2018, he announced the Philippines' withdrawal from the court following the initiation of a preliminary investigation into his actions. However, ICC judges ruled last year that the case would proceed despite the Philippines' withdrawal, citing the court's jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member.
As the trial date approaches, the international community will closely monitor the proceedings, which could set a significant precedent for accountability and justice in cases of alleged state-sponsored violence. The outcome of this trial may also influence future discussions on human rights and governance in the Philippines and beyond.