Rodrigo Duterte Appears at ICC for War on Drugs Trial

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on September 16 for a status hearing. This marked the first physical appearance for the 81-year-old since his arrest in Manila in March 2025, as previous proceedings were conducted via videolink.

Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity stemming from a systematic war on drugs conducted between 2011 and 2019 during his time as mayor of Davao and as president. While Philippine police report 6,200 deaths, ICC prosecutors and human rights organizations estimate the toll as high as 30,000. Prosecutors specifically allege Duterte's involvement in at least 76 murders and the operation of death squads.

During the hearing, Duterte's defense team argued he is mentally unfit for trial, citing severe cognitive decline and memory impairment, claiming he believes the current year is 2007 or 2008. The prosecution disputed these claims, and the court noted a previous January ruling that Duterte was healthy enough to proceed. Judge Joanna Korner scheduled the trial to begin on November 30, 2026, with hearings potentially extending into the 2027 Spring Recess.