ICC Begins Hearing to Decide if Duterte Will Stand Trial
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun a crucial four-day hearing to determine whether former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte should face a full trial for crimes against humanity over his brutal “war on drugs.”
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, is accused of overseeing extrajudicial killings of tens of thousands of alleged drug suspects — a campaign that began during his years as mayor of Davao.
ICC prosecutors allege Duterte is directly responsible for at least 76 murders, charging him with three counts of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutor Mame Niang told judges:
“Duterte’s so-called war on drugs resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians — many were children. Those in power are not above the law.”
Duterte, now 80, waived his right to appear in court, insisting he does not recognise the ICC’s authority.
Who Is Rodrigo Duterte?
Duterte earned a strongman reputation as mayor of Davao, promising to end crime through force.
His presidency was defined by:
- A violent campaign against alleged drug users and small-time dealers
- Public threats encouraging police to “shoot to kill”
- Controversial remarks, including comparing himself to Hitler
- Massive popularity among supporters who saw him as an outsider confronting elites
Despite his arrest and detention in The Hague, Duterte remains influential — he even won the 2025 Davao mayoral race in absentia, while his daughter, Sara Duterte, serves as the Philippines’ Vice-President.
What Is Duterte Accused Of?
The ICC charges cover 1 November 2011 to 16 March 2019, spanning Duterte’s time as:
- Mayor of Davao, and
- The first half of his presidency
Key allegations:
- Acting as an “indirect co-perpetrator,” using police and hired hitmen
- Running Operation Double Barrel, an anti-drug campaign linked to summary executions
- Encouraging killings of alleged drug suspects
- Targeting urban poor communities
Human rights groups estimate the death toll at up to 30,000, though exact numbers are unknown.
The Philippine police insist all killings were in self-defence.
Duterte has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, calling the charges “an outrageous lie.”
Why Was Duterte Arrested?
Duterte was arrested in March last year, after a dramatic political fallout between:
- The Duterte family, and
- His successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Though initially allied in the 2022 election, their bloc collapsed amid internal rivalries.
Marcos — who once refused ICC cooperation — eventually allowed Duterte’s arrest.
Duterte’s supporters claim the ICC is being used as a political weapon.
His arrest unfolded publicly: videos posted by Duterte and his daughter Kitty documented his journey from Manila Airport to The Hague, including meals served aboard the chartered jet.
Why This Case Matters
The trial is significant for both the Philippines and the ICC:
1. A Clash of Political Dynasties
The Duterte–Marcos fallout has shaped national politics.
Sara Duterte has already announced her 2028 presidential bid, setting up a direct challenge to the Marcos camp.
2. A Landmark ICC Test
Duterte is the first former Asian head of state indicted at the ICC.
The case tests the court’s ability to prosecute powerful leaders when domestic systems fail.
However, the ICC has no enforcement power without cooperation from national governments.
Timeline: What Happens Next?
- The confirmation hearings run for four days
- ICC judges then have 60 days to decide whether the evidence justifies a full trial
- Duterte’s lawyers have attempted to halt proceedings on health grounds, but judges ruled he is fit to participate
If confirmed, the case will move into a multi-year trial examining one of the deadliest anti-drug campaigns in modern history.