Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is due to appear in person at the ICC in The Hague as judges assess whether he is fit to stand trial on allegations tied to his anti-drug campaign. Defence lawyers cite cognitive decline and argue he cannot fully participate; judges previously found his health sufficient to follow proceedings. The trial is scheduled to begin in November amid disputed casualty figures—ICC prosecutors estimate up to 30,000 deaths while police records show about 6,200.
Duterte Due In ICC Courtroom As Judges Weigh Fitness For Trial Over Drug Crackdown
FILE PHOTO: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends the House Quad Committee hearing investigating his administration's war on drugs, at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David/File Photo
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is expected to appear in public at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Wednesday for the first time since his transfer there 18 months ago to face allegations tied to his years-long anti-drug campaign.
Duterte led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and was arrested and moved to The Hague in March 2025 after an ICC warrant accused him of crimes against humanity for allegedly creating, funding and arming death squads that targeted suspected drug dealers and users. The warrant says the campaign was widespread and systematic and led to thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019, including during his time as mayor of Davao City.
On Wednesday, judges will hear arguments about Duterte's health and his ability to stand trial, which is scheduled to begin in November. His lawyers have told the court he is experiencing cognitive decline and is not well enough to take part fully in proceedings. Defence requests for comment from Duterte's lawyer and family were not answered.
Earlier this year, ICC judges concluded that Duterte's health was sufficient for him to follow proceedings and requested that he attend in person rather than appear by video link from the detention unit. The hearing will revisit those medical and procedural questions ahead of the formal trial timetable.
Allegations and Casualty Figures
ICC prosecutors have estimated that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown, a figure detailed in a Reuters investigation. Official Philippine police records state about 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations. Duterte has maintained that he ordered police to act in self-defence.
On record: Duterte told supporters he was prepared to 'rot in jail' if that meant eliminating illicit drugs from the Philippines.
The forthcoming hearing will be closely watched internationally for how judges balance defence medical evidence, the rights of the accused, and the ICC's obligations to victims and the broader pursuit of accountability.
Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; additional reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Karen Lema; editing by Alexandra Hudson.
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