Historic ICC Trial: Duterte Faces Justice

The International Criminal Court has set November 30 as the trial start date for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, charged with crimes against humanity during the deadly war on drugs, which claimed thousands of lives. Duterte insists on self-defense while lawyers argue cognitive decline.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has scheduled November 30 as the commencement date for the trial of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. He faces three counts of crimes against humanity related to murders and attempted murders during his controversial anti-drug campaign.

The prosecution alleges that Duterte's war on drugs, conducted broadly between 2016 and 2022, resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Despite waiving his right to attend the Wednesday hearing, Duterte has consistently claimed that police were instructed to act only in self-defense.

After being taken into ICC custody in March 2025, Duterte is currently held at The Hague. His legal team argues his cognitive decline makes him unfit for trial; however, the court has decided he can participate with specific modifications to session durations. If found guilty, Duterte could receive a life sentence.