Duterte to Face ICC Trial After Crimes Against Humanity Charges Confirmed
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, paving the way for him to stand trial over his controversial “war on drugs.”
ICC judges ruled on Thursday that there are “substantial grounds to believe” Duterte was responsible for the extrajudicial killing of thousands of people during anti-drug operations carried out between 2011 and 2019. The charges were unanimously confirmed by the court’s pre-trial chamber.
Duterte, 81, has been in detention for more than a year and has repeatedly attempted to have the case dismissed. He has refused to recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, the court ruled that it retains authority over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
According to the ICC, more than 500 victims have been authorised to participate in the proceedings, marking one of the largest victim participation groups in recent cases.
At the center of the trial are allegations linked to Duterte’s nationwide anti-drug campaign, which human rights organisations say led to widespread extrajudicial killings of suspected low-level drug offenders, while major drug syndicates largely remained untouched. Duterte has consistently denied the accusations, calling them an “outrageous lie,” while police authorities have maintained that killings occurred only in self-defence.
Duterte’s legal team had also argued that he was unfit to stand trial due to cognitive impairment, but ICC judges rejected this claim, citing medical assessments that found him capable of participating in proceedings.
His arrest in Manila and subsequent transfer to The Hague last year followed a political fallout between his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The confirmation of charges has been widely welcomed by human rights advocates. Philippine lawmaker Leila de Lima described it as “a great day for the fighters against impunity and state-sponsored violence,” while rights group KARAPATAN called it “vindication” for victims’ families, though they noted the moment remains “bittersweet.”
Despite the legal developments, Duterte continues to retain strong support from his loyal base, with supporters staging protests against his detention.
The ICC trial is expected to become one of the most closely watched international legal proceedings in recent years.
