Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is due to appear before the International Criminal Court in The Hague as judges review whether he is fit to stand trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.
The hearing on Wednesday, September 16, is expected to mark Duterte’s first public appearance since he was transferred to ICC custody in March 2025.
Duterte, 81, faces charges involving murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity. The charges concern alleged killings between 2011 and 2019, covering periods when he served as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines.
The ICC confirmed the charges in April, allowing the case to proceed toward trial. Opening arguments are currently expected in November 2026.
The latest hearing will focus on Duterte’s fitness to participate in the proceedings. His defence has previously raised concerns about his ability to follow the case, while ICC judges ruled in January that he was fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings.
A medical panel has since conducted an updated assessment at the request of the court. The results will be considered as judges determine the next steps in the case.
Prosecutors allege that Duterte was responsible for a widespread and systematic campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths during his years in public office. Estimates of the number of people killed vary substantially, with Philippine police reporting more than 6,000 deaths in anti-drug operations, while prosecutors have cited higher estimates.
Duterte has denied the allegations against him. He has previously said he instructed police to act in self-defence and defended his campaign against illegal drugs.
The former president was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and transferred to the ICC in The Hague. His detention followed the court’s investigation into alleged crimes committed during the anti-drug campaign.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the court has maintained jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member of the Rome Statute.
Wednesday’s proceedings will help determine how the case moves forward as the ICC prepares for the next stage of proceedings later this year.
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