Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Over Drug War Killings

Duterte, accused of crimes against humanity, appeared via video at the International Criminal Court after his arrest in Manila earlier this week.

Rodrigo Duterte, 79, appeared at the International Criminal Court in The Hague via video link, following his arrest in Manila on charges of crimes against humanity tied to his war on drugs.
The ICC alleges Duterte oversaw widespread killings of tens of thousands of civilians, including minors, during his tenure as Davao City mayor and Philippine president from 2011 to 2019.
Supporters of Duterte claim his arrest was politically motivated and illegal, while families of victims and human rights groups view it as a step toward justice.
A pre-trial hearing is set for September 23 to determine whether the case will proceed to trial, which could take years; if convicted, Duterte faces life imprisonment.
The Philippine government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., allowed ICC investigators to act despite previously withdrawing from the court, citing jurisdiction over crimes committed before 2019.