Philippines' Duterte seen in person for first time at International Criminal Court

What the report says

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, marking the first time he has been seen directly at the tribunal since his arrest in Manila in March 2025. BBC World News reported that the 81-year-old arrived in a dark suit and white shirt as the court held a status hearing after his lawyers said his health had deteriorated and he may be unfit to stand trial.

Duterte is due to face charges of crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign, a central policy of his presidency from 2016 to 2022. The ICC is examining alleged killings tied to the campaign across a period beginning in 2011, when he was mayor of Davao, and ending in 2019, when the Philippines withdrew from the court. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are disputing whether he can fully participate in proceedings, with his legal team citing memory impairment and an earlier diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

The first trial date is currently set for November, according to the BBC. The case is significant because it places one of the Philippines’ most prominent political figures before an international court over a campaign that defined his domestic rule and drew global criticism. The report also noted that Duterte’s detention comes amid a widening political rift within his family and between the Duterte and Marcos camps in Philippine politics.