A three-judge panel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed on Thursday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can stand trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
The charges relate to Duterte’s alleged role in overseeing a deadly anti-drug crackdown while serving as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
The panel said there were “substantial grounds” to support the allegation that Duterte was responsible for dozens of killings, first while serving as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president.
The Hague-based court said there was enough evidence against Duterte to prosecute him, with a date yet to be set.
What did ICC say about Duterte?
The judges said the evidence showed Duterte “developed, disseminated and implemented” a policy to “neutralize” alleged criminals.
Human rights groups estimate that 30,000 people were killed during Duterte’s six years in office. National police reported 6,000 deaths. Suspects were often summarily executed without trial.
Amnesty International said police “followed an unverified list of people allegedly using or selling drugs, breaking into their homes and shooting dead unarmed people, including those who posed no risk and did not resist arrest.”
Prosecutors said police and vigilante squads carried out the killings on Duterte’s orders, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.
Amnesty International Philippines director Ritz Lee Santos said the ICC’s confirmation of the charges is “a watershed moment for victims and for international justice”.
What did Duterte say?
81-year-old Duterte has denied the allegations against him. He was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and brought to The Hague, where the ICC is headquartered. Duterte has waived his right to be present in the courtroom during any hearing.
Earlier this week, appeals judges rejected Duterte’s legal team’s request to dismiss the case on the grounds that the court did not have jurisdiction due to the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC.
Duterte’s defense also failed in an attempt to stop the trial by citing Duterte’s poor health. The previous hearing was adjourned over health issues.
Nick Kauffman, Duterte’s lead defense lawyer, told the Associated Press that the ICC’s decision was based on “uncorroborated statements from vicious self-confessed killers who served as cooperating witnesses.”
Edited by: Carl Sexton