ICC Holds Pretrial Hearings for Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

The ICC has begun pretrial hearings for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces crimes against humanity charges over extrajudicial killings during his drug crackdown. Prosecutors allege he authorized and personally selected some victims, with at least 78 confirmed murders. Duterte denies the charges. Judges will review evidence to decide whether a full trial should proceed. Estimates of deaths during the crackdown range from 6,000 to 30,000, and the hearings have sparked both support and opposition in the Philippines.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has commenced pretrial hearings for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing serious charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his controversial and violent campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines. Duterte, 80, is accused of overseeing and facilitating dozens of extrajudicial killings that occurred both during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as the country’s national president from 2016 to 2022. The charges center on allegations that he played a direct and pivotal role in orchestrating these killings, often using fear and financial incentives to encourage armed squads to target suspected drug users and dealers.
During the opening proceedings in The Hague, prosecutors outlined that for some individuals involved in the crackdown, the killings became a form of competition, reflecting the brutal and systematic nature of the campaign. Prosecutor Mame Niang emphasized that Duterte not only authorized these murders but also personally selected some of the victims. The indictment accuses him of being involved in at least 78 confirmed murders, highlighting the scale and severity of the alleged crimes.
Duterte did not appear in court, but his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, stated that the former president remains resolute in maintaining his innocence, asserting that he stands fully behind his legacy. The pretrial hearings are not a trial in themselves but provide an opportunity for prosecutors to lay out their case in front of ICC judges. Following the hearings, judges will have a period of 60 days to review the evidence presented and determine whether it is sufficient to proceed with a full trial against Duterte.
Duterte was arrested in Manila in March of the previous year and was subsequently transported to the Netherlands, where he has been held in the ICC’s detention unit at Scheveningen Prison. The proceedings have attracted international attention, and demonstrators gathered outside the court to express opposing views on the hearings. Some, like Llore Pasco, whose two sons were killed in 2017, welcomed the proceedings, expressing relief that justice might finally be pursued. Others, such as chef Aldo Villarta, criticized the ICC’s involvement, describing it as a “slap in the face” to the Philippines and framing it as an infringement on national sovereignty.
Estimates of the number of people killed during Duterte’s drug crackdowns vary widely. Official figures from the Philippine National Police report at least 6,000 deaths, while human rights organizations claim that the true number may be as high as 30,000. The pretrial hearings at the ICC mark a significant moment in international legal efforts to hold leaders accountable for alleged human rights abuses, while also highlighting the deep divisions within the Philippines regarding Duterte’s controversial legacy.