Tuesday, February 24, 2026-The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has opened pre‑trial hearings to decide whether former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte should face a full trial on crimes against humanity charges tied to his controversial war on drugs campaign.
Prosecutors allege that Duterte played a central role in hundreds of extrajudicial killings during his time as a local mayor and later as national president, targeting alleged drug offenders and contributing to a climate of violence across the Philippines. The four‑day “confirmation of charges” hearing — not yet a trial — will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to a formal trial.
At 80 years old, Duterte did not appear in the courtroom after his defense waived his right to attend, despite ICC judges ruling that he is medically fit to participate. Prosecutors have charged him with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in dozens of murders between 2013 and 2018, spanning from his time as Davao City mayor to his six‑year presidency. The court must issue a written decision within 60 days following the hearings to decide whether the case should continue toward trial.
Duterte has consistently denied wrongdoing and rejected the ICC’s authority, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the ICC and challenging the proceedings. Families of alleged victims and human‑rights groups, however, have called the hearings a crucial chance for accountability, pointing to thousands of deaths during the drug war period. While official figures vary widely, many rights monitors say the true toll of the crackdown could be far higher than government counts.
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