Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Duterte Appears Before ICC Judges Over Trial Fitness
Rodrigo Duterte used to be president of the Philippines.
He is accused of crimes against humanity connected to his war on drugs.
Prosecutors say thousands of people may have been killed during the campaign.
Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague in March 2025.
On Wednesday, he appeared in an International Criminal Court courtroom.
Judges discussed whether he is healthy enough to understand and take part in a trial.
His lawyers say he has problems with memory and daily activities.
The trial is planned to start in November, but the judges are assessing his health first.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday.
The hearing examined whether Duterte is healthy enough to stand trial, scheduled to begin in November.
Duterte’s lawyers say cognitive decline affects his memory and daily functioning and leaves him unfit for trial.
ICC prosecutors allege Duterte was responsible for a widespread campaign involving thousands of killings from 2011 to 2019.
Police reported 6,200 suspects killed, while ICC prosecutors said as many as 30,000 people may have died.
- Who
- Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, his lawyers, ICC judges, prosecutors, and police officials.
- What
- The International Criminal Court heard arguments about whether Duterte is fit to stand trial on crimes-against-humanity charges linked to alleged drug-war killings.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday; the trial is scheduled to begin in November. Duterte served as president from 2016 to 2022.
- Where
- The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
- Why
- Duterte’s lawyers argue that cognitive decline affects his memory and daily functioning, while ICC judges previously said his health was sufficient to follow proceedings.
ICC Prosecution and Judicial Position
Duterte Defense and Account
Fitness for trial
ICC Prosecution and Judicial Position
ICC judges said in January that Duterte’s health was good enough for him to follow proceedings and requested that he appear in court rather than by video link.
Duterte Defense and Account
Duterte’s lawyers argue that cognitive decline affects his memory and daily functioning and makes him unfit for trial.
Responsibility for killings
ICC Prosecution and Judicial Position
Duterte’s warrant says he was responsible for a widespread and systematic campaign involving thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019, including while he was mayor of Davao.
Duterte Defense and Account
Duterte said he instructed police to act in self-defense and told supporters he was prepared to “rot in jail” if it meant eliminating illicit drugs.
Number of deaths
ICC Prosecution and Judicial Position
ICC prosecutors said as many as 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown.
Duterte Defense and Account
Police reported that 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations.
- Defendant
- Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines
- Court
- International Criminal Court
- Charges
- Crimes against humanity and murder charges related to Duterte’s war on drugs
- Arrest
- Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague in March 2025
- Presidential term
- 2016 to 2022
- Alleged killings
- The warrant describes thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019
- Death estimates
- Police reported 6,200 suspects killed; ICC prosecutors cited as many as 30,000 possible deaths