On March 14, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
He faced charges of crimes against humanity for his bloody war on drugs.
He appeared via ICC streaming, joining the session through a video link from the ICC detention center.
He cited exhaustion following his recent arrest and extradition from the Philippines.
His defense team, led by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, strongly opposed the charges, calling them politically motivated.
During the session, Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc confirmed Duterte’s identity and informed him of his rights under international law.
The ICC then scheduled his next hearing—the confirmation of charges hearing—on September 23, 2025. This will determine whether the case proceeds to a full trial.
The prosecution has built a case linking Duterte to thousands of extrajudicial killings that took place during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
Reports estimate that between 6,000 and 30,000 people were killed under his anti-drug campaign.
Human rights organizations and families of victims have welcomed his arrest, viewing it as a crucial step toward justice.
Lawyer Gilbert Andres, representing the victims, stated, “This shows that no one is above the law.”
Duterte’s arrest has also intensified political tensions in the Philippines, particularly between the Duterte and Marcos families.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte—Duterte’s daughter—have been locked in a political feud.
Sara, who is currently facing impeachment over allegations of plotting against Marcos, denounced her father’s arrest as “oppression and persecution.”
She even traveled to the Netherlands to show her support.
Duterte’s legal team insists that the ICC case is being used as a political tool by the Marcos administration, with Medialdea going as far as to call the arrest “kidnapping.”
However, the ICC remains focused on its legal process. If the court finds enough evidence in September, Duterte will stand trial.
If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a court based in The Hague, Netherlands. It handles serious crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity when local governments fail to take action.
The judge confirmed Duterte’s identity and explained the charges against him. The court also scheduled another hearing on September 23, 2025, to decide if there’s enough evidence for a full trial.
If found guilty, Duterte could be sentenced to life in prison, the maximum penalty under the ICC. This means he would spend the rest of his life behind bars, though his sentence could be reviewed after 25 years, depending on factors like his health and the interests of justice.
Keep Reading: Duterte’s Partner, Honeylet Avanceña, Accused of Assaulting Police Officer
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