Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the first time on Wednesday since his arrest in March 2025. Duterte, 81, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs, which allegedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
Duterte is accused of orchestrating a widespread campaign targeting suspected drug offenders, both during his presidency and earlier tenure as mayor of Davao City. Prosecutors allege his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 and have suggested that the crackdown may have caused tens of thousands of deaths. The exact numbers are disputed: Philippine police have confirmed 6,200 killings during anti-drug operations, while international investigators estimate the toll may be as high as 30,000.
At the hearing, Duterte did not address the court but was seen sitting quietly, following the proceedings through headphones, and briefly waved to family members in the public gallery. This was a marked departure from previous sessions, where he appeared only via video link or was absent, with his defense citing serious health issues including cognitive decline. His lawyers have submitted that he suffers from significant memory impairment, at times appearing confused about current events and his own age.
Despite these concerns, ICC judges ruled in January that Duterte was fit to stand trial and emphasized the importance of moving the case forward. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner pressed both sides to streamline the proceedings, with the trial scheduled to begin on November 30. The judge urged parties to limit the number of witnesses and concentrate on key evidence, citing the defendant’s advanced age and health.
The defense has expressed serious reservations about the volume of material provided by prosecutors, which ranges from approximately 15,000 to more than 60,000 documents, describing the disclosure as “enormous” and difficult to fully scrutinize before trial. Defense attorney Peter Haynes stated that if Duterte were younger and healthier, he would seek a delay of six months, but acknowledged that the current situation does not allow for that.
Reactions from relatives of those killed in the drug war have been cautiously positive regarding Duterte’s court appearance. Llore Pasco, who lost two sons during the campaign, expressed relief at his presence and noted his physical condition appeared stable. Similarly, Randy Delos Santos, uncle of Kian Delos Santos, a teenager killed by police in 2017, welcomed the development and hoped it would accelerate the judicial process.
Duterte has denied all charges and maintains that police acted in self-defense during anti-drug operations. Throughout his presidency, he defended the campaign as necessary to eradicate narcotics from the Philippines and stated he was willing to accept imprisonment if it meant achieving that goal.
The upcoming trial is expected to be lengthy and closely watched, as Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the gravest international crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.