Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared via video link from a detention center at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on murder charges linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” Following his arrest in Manila, Duterte appeared before Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, who scheduled a pretrial hearing for September 23 to assess the strength of the prosecutor’s evidence. If the trial proceeds and Duterte is found guilty, he could face life in prison.
His lawyer argued that Duterte’s arrest was politically motivated, claiming a denial of his rights in the Philippines. Duterte, who is 79 and reportedly facing health issues, confirmed his identity during the hearing and did not have to enter a plea.
Human rights organizations, estimating the death toll from Duterte’s crackdown at over 6,000, welcomed the arrest as a significant legal victory. Duterte is accused of being an “indirect co-executor” in multiple murders constituting crimes against humanity, overseeing extrajudicial killings carried out by police and death squads.
Duterte’s supporters have criticized the government’s actions, and his legal team argues that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him since the Philippines withdrew from the court during his presidency. Meanwhile, protests occurred in the Philippines, with calls for justice for victims of Duterte’s regime. The ICC judge noted that the alleged crimes occurred before the country’s withdrawal from the court, allowing the case to proceed.
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