Former Filipino President Duterte appears before ICC for alleged crimes against humanity – lawyer

Amnesty International called the appearance of the former Philippine President Rodrigo Rua Rua Duterte on Friday in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) a “symbolic moment” for the families of those who were killed during the “War against Drugs” of his government.

The Southeast Asian researcher of Amnesty International, Rachel Chhoa-Ehard, explained:

Rodrigo Duterte's appearance at the International Criminal Court is a sight of families of the thousands of victims of the “War War against Drugs” in the Philippines that they would never see. Today shows that those who are accused of committing the worst crimes are sent to court one day, regardless of their position.

Chhoa-Ehard continued to underline the decisive role of the ICC in the provision of accountability and said that it was a “day of hope for families of victims and human rights defenders who have fought tirelessly for justice despite severe risks and security for years.”

Duterte's first appearance at the ICC comes almost six years after the Philippines have formally withdrawn from the Rome statute, the contract that stated the ICC and determined its responsibility. Despite this withdrawal, the ICC retained the responsibility for the alleged crimes that Duterte was responsible from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, when he acted as Mayor of Davao City and later as President.

Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, after returning from Hong Kong after an arrest warrant from the ICC chamber had been brought to trial. He now faces the indictment of murder as a crime against humanity. The chamber initially approved an investigation of the possible crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial murders, reported in the context of Duterte's anti-drug campaign. While the withdrawal of the Philippines from the ICC came into force on March 17, 2019, the court collected evidence of alleged crimes while the country was still a state party.

The public prosecutor claims that Duterte had played a crucial role in the orchestration, encouragement and enabling the murders of thousands of alleged drug offenders. Court documents also referred his time as head of the so -called “Davao Death Squad”, a suspected group of mayors who were accused of extrajudicial executions when Duterte was Davao City.

During his initial appearance by video connection, the ISCHH ensured that Duterte was informed about the murder can be informed against him and his rights according to the Rome statute. Duterte's lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, said Duterte was too uncomfortable to make further comments, and claimed that his arrest and transfer to the Netherlands was “pure and simple kidnapping” and that his client experienced “weakening” illnesses.

In response to this, the chairman Iulia Antoanella Motoc found that the forecast, who judged Duterte when he arrived, was “completely mentally conscious and fit”. She also made it clear that Duterte and his legal team would have the opportunity to make concerns about his transfer and health at a later date of the procedure. The ICC temporarily planned the hearing to confirm the fees on September 23, 2025.