The International Criminal Court (ICC) is conducting hearings to determine if former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte should face trial for crimes against humanity during his "war on drugs." As mayor and later president, Duterte oversaw a campaign that resulted in the extrajudicial killings of tens of thousands, according to human rights groups. ICC prosecutors have linked him to 76 murders and charged him with three counts of crimes against humanity.
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Duterte, 80, faced global criticism but remained defiant, once stating he'd gladly "slaughter" millions of drug addicts. Prosecutor Mame Niang urged accountability for the killings, many involving children, reminding judges that power does not exempt one from the law.
Duterte declined to attend the hearings, challenging the ICC's authority and claiming innocence. The proceedings, lasting four days, will determine if there is enough evidence for a full trial.
Duterte, elected in 2016, promised to tackle street crime with a harsh anti-drug stance, which gained him popularity despite controversy. His leadership style drew support for addressing issues in marginalized areas, yet his rhetoric was often shocking. He compared himself to Hitler and showed no remorse for the violent campaign.
Despite being jailed in The Hague, Duterte's influence persists; he won the Davao mayoral race in 2025. His daughter, Sara, is vice-president, and his son, Sebastian, is Davao's acting mayor.
As the first Asian ex-head of state charged by the ICC, Duterte allegedly committed crimes from 2011 to 2019, using police and hitmen in his anti-drug drive. Rights groups claim the operations targeted urban poor rather than major dealers, causing widespread summary executions.
Duterte rejected ICC jurisdiction, citing the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute. He described the charges as "outrageous lies" and refused courtroom presence due to age and health issues.
His arrest last March followed political fallout between Duterte's family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ending their alliance and shifting Marcos's stance on ICC cooperation. Duterte was apprehended in Manila and transferred to The Hague, documented extensively on social media.
The Duterte-Marcos split is part of a larger power struggle between two influential families. Marcos's alliance with Duterte led to his 2022 presidential win but quickly fractured over diverging ambitions.
For the ICC, this case challenges its capacity to prosecute former leaders when domestic courts fail. The outcome could influence global perceptions of accountability for state leaders.
After the current hearings, the ICC will issue a decision in 60 days on proceeding to trial.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 23 Feb 2026