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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The charges relate to the extrajudicial killings during his "war on drugs" from 2011 to 2019. This development follows the ICC's confirmation that there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the alleged crimes, despite his previous appeals for release.

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Duterte, who has denied the charges, claims the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 should nullify the case. However, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber ruled it could proceed since the alleged crimes occurred while the country was still a member. The court has allowed over 500 victims to participate in the proceedings, rejecting Duterte's claim of cognitive impairment.

Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign has been criticized for targeting small dealers while ignoring bigger players. The former president has dismissed the charges as false, while police have claimed they acted in self-defense. Duterte's legal team plans to appeal the ICC's ruling, asserting that he remains unfit to participate due to health concerns.

The initiation of the trial is seen as a significant step by his opponents. Critics, including Leila de Lima, have lauded the move as a victory for justice against state-sponsored violence. Human rights organization KARAPATAN called it a bittersweet moment, acknowledging ongoing extrajudicial killings and unaddressed poverty in the Philippines.

Duterte's detention followed a familial and political fallout, marked by his arrest at a Manila airport after a disagreement with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Despite the charges, Duterte still enjoys substantial public support, with some followers protesting against his detention. The trial is poised to be a focal point for international human rights discourse.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · BBC · 24 Apr 2026

Still nothing from the ICC about the Uyghurs in China I see,

The charges relate to the extrajudicial killings during his "war on drugs" from 2011 to 2019.

Why ,he was the only one that done somethng the drug war .

ICC has nothing to do what he done .

This war was the only thing that worked .They should start it again.

Let the People vote .