Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared via video link at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands on Thursday, marking a historic moment for his war on drugs case. The 79-year-old leader faces murder charges related to his brutal campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.
Duterte was informed of the charges and his rights by ICC judges, who authorized his appearance through a video conference due to his long journey from Manila. He had been accused of crimes against humanity, including the murder of at least 19 people, mostly suspected drug dealers, between 2011 and 2016.
The court’s presiding judge rejected Duterte’s lawyer’s claim that he was unfit due to medical issues, stating that the court doctor found him fully mentally aware. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, but his administration was criticized for its alleged extrajudicial killings during his rule from 2016 to 2022.
The ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed during a state’s membership period, and Duterte’s withdrawal from the court in 2019 does not affect this. Amnesty International described the appearance as a “symbolic moment” and a “day of hope” for the families of victims and human rights defenders.
This is a developing story, but it marks an important milestone in Duterte’s case, bringing him one step closer to facing justice for his alleged crimes.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/14/europe/rodrigo-duterte-first-icc-appearance-hague-intl/index.html