Duterte to Face ICC in Historic ‘War on Drugs’ Hearing

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) today, marking his first courtroom encounter since his dramatic arrest in Manila on Tuesday. The 79-year-old, arrested on an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his brutal “war on drugs,” will be formally informed of charges during this initial hearing, a landmark moment as the first Asian ex-leader to face such scrutiny at The Hague.

Duterte’s presidency (2016-2022) and prior tenure as Davao mayor saw a relentless anti-drug campaign, with death toll estimates ranging from over 6,000, per police figures, to 30,000, according to human rights groups. ICC prosecutors accuse him of being an “indirect co-perpetrator” in murders spanning November 2011 to March 2019, alleging he directed “Davao Death Squads” and later national forces to kill suspected drug offenders.

Evidence includes witness accounts, Duterte’s own speeches, and government records, claiming he armed, paid, and protected killers while promising impunity.

Today’s session, starting at 1:00 PM GMT, will outline his rights and charges, though no plea is required yet. A future pre-trial hearing, possibly months away, will determine if evidence—built on testimonies and footage—warrants a full trial, which could stretch years and carry a life sentence if he’s convicted. After landing in the Netherlands following medical checks, Duterte is now detained near the North Sea coast.

Victims’ families and activists celebrate this as a victory against impunity. Melinda Abion Lafuente, whose son Angelo was killed in 2016, expressed relief, while Human Rights Watch’s Bryony Lau called it a warning to leaders like Putin and Netanyahu. Yet, Duterte’s camp, including daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, decries the arrest as a sovereignty breach, arguing the Philippines’ 2019 ICC exit voids its jurisdiction—a claim judges reject, citing crimes predating the withdrawal.