Philippine: Rodrigo Duterte is set to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) as he faces crimes against humanity charges over his controversial “war on drugs.”
The 79-year-old former Philippine president will appear before the court at 2 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT), where he will be informed of the charges against him and his rights as a defendant, according to an ICC statement.
Duterte is accused of the crime against humanity of murder for his administration’s violent anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups say resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
Duterte’s arrest followed a tense 12-hour standoff at a Philippine air base. Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre described the situation as “very tense,” revealing that the former leader initially refused to cooperate, declined to be fingerprinted, and stated that, “You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague.”
Despite his resistance, Duterte was eventually flown to the Netherlands on a government-chartered jet. Duterte’s legal team has challenged the arrest, arguing that Philippine authorities failed to present a copy of the ICC warrant and violated his constitutional rights.
The former president’s arrest comes amid increasing tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families, whose alliance helped bring President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to power. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is currently facing an impeachment trial over allegations that include an assassination plot against Marcos.
Sara Duterte has travelled to the Netherlands to support her father, calling his arrest an act of “oppression and persecution.” The Duterte family has also sought an emergency injunction from the Philippine Supreme Court to block his transfer to the ICC.
The case against Duterte marks a significant moment for the ICC, which has been facing political pressure and legal challenges. In February, Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court over its investigations into Israel’s actions in Gaza.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasised the importance of Duterte’s arrest, calling it a victory for victims and global justice. Karim Khan stated that, “Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think.”
Duterte’s hearing will determine whether the ICC moves forward with a full trial, a process that could take months or even years. Under ICC rules, he may request interim release while proceedings continue. As the case unfolds, victims of the Philippines’ drug war await a potential path to justice.
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