ICC Upholds Jurisdiction Over Duterte’s Case Amid Controversy

The International Criminal Court ruled it has jurisdiction over former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in a case regarding his alleged involvement in the mass murder of drug offenders. This decision comes despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC. Duterte remains in detention as his trial proceeds.

In a landmark decision, the International Criminal Court confirmed on Wednesday that it maintains jurisdiction over the former Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. The ruling dismisses Duterte's attempt to avoid trial for his alleged role in the mass killing of thousands.

Duterte, who remains detained in The Hague, was arrested in March 2025. His legal team argued that the Philippines' 2018 withdrawal from the ICC voided the court's jurisdiction over his case. However, the judges upheld a prior decision, emphasizing that the preliminary examination began before the withdrawal, allowing the case to proceed.

The prosecution claims Duterte orchestrated the creation and arming of death squads targeting drug offenders from 2016 to 2022. Duterte has consistently claimed that his directives to the police were strictly for self-defense purposes. The court's decision is a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle.