Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, 79, appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on a video screen from a nearby detention centre in The Hague. Duterte, accused of murder related to his “war on drugs” while in office, participated remotely due to recent travel. His lawyer criticized the arrest as politically motivated, while a pretrial hearing is set for September 23. Duterte, who was ruled mentally fit for the proceedings, faces a life sentence if found guilty.
Protests both for and against Duterte took place outside the court, with human rights groups celebrating his arrest as a triumph against state impunity. Meanwhile, Duterte’s supporters criticized the government for bringing a political rival to a disputed court jurisdiction. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, met with supporters outside the court and visited her father in detention.
Prosecutors accuse Duterte of overseeing murders as mayor and president, linked to the Davao Death Squads targeting criminals. Charges include recruitment, financing, and providing resources to killers, with evidence including witness testimony and speeches. Duterte’s legal team argues that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the Philippines after its withdrawal from the court during Duterte’s presidency.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has applied to be accredited as one of Duterte’s lawyers, aiming to challenge the legality of his arrest by Philippine authorities and the ICC’s jurisdiction. The case against Duterte remains ongoing, with a pretrial hearing scheduled to determine the strength of the prosecution’s evidence.
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