Philippines ex-President Duterte fit to stand trial, ICC rules

What the report says

The International Criminal Court has ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is mentally fit to stand trial, clearing the way for proceedings over allegations tied to his anti-drug crackdown. According to Al Jazeera’s report, judges in The Hague said independent medical experts concluded that Duterte can understand the evidence and work with his lawyers on his defence.

Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, over killings linked to the “war on drugs” carried out while he was in office. He has denied the accusations and says police were instructed to act in self-defence. His lawyers had sought to have the case dismissed on health grounds, arguing that memory problems prevented him from following the case properly.

The ICC said the 81-year-old can effectively exercise his fair trial rights. The court also rejected a request for his release from custody. His trial is scheduled to begin on November 30.

Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and later transferred to The Hague after a lengthy ICC investigation. The case is being closely watched because it is one of the highest-profile efforts by the court to prosecute alleged crimes connected to an ex-head of state.