Former Philippine leader Duterte due in ICC courtroom to assess if he’s fit for murder trial
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Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is accused of being responsible for a widespread and systematic campaign that led to thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019 during his war on drugs.
PHOTO: REUTERS
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appear in public on Sept 16 for the first time since being transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) 18 months ago to face murder charges related to his war on drugs.
Duterte, 81, served as president from 2016 to 2022 before being charged with crimes against humanity for creating, funding and arming death squads that targeted narcotics peddlers and users. He was arrested and brought to The Hague in March 2025.
On Sept 16, judges will hear arguments about his health and ability to stand trial, which is scheduled to begin in November. His lawyers have argued that he suffers from cognitive decline and is not well enough.
Duterte’s lawyer and family did not respond to requests for comment.
ICC judges said in January that Duterte’s health was good enough for him to follow proceedings and requested his presence in court, rather than by video link from the detention unit.
Duterte’s warrant says he was responsible for a widespread and systematic campaign that led to thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019, including when he served as mayor of the southern city of Davao.
ICC prosecutors have said that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown, the details of which were reported in a Reuters investigation.
According to the police, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations.
Duterte said he instructed the police to act in self-defence and told supporters that he was ready to “rot in jail” if it meant ridding the Philippines of illicit drugs. REUTERS