THE HAGUE, Feb 23, (V7N) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) will begin a crucial hearing on Monday to determine whether former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should face trial for crimes against humanity linked to his brutal anti-drug campaign. The hearing, known as the "confirmation of charges" session, will run for four days and assess if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a full trial.

Duterte, 80, will not be present in The Hague for the hearing, after his defense team successfully requested a waiver of his right to attend. Despite this, judges ruled that he is fit to participate in the proceedings. Following the hearing, the judges will have 60 days to issue their written decision.

The ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, accusing him of involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. The true number of victims is believed to be much higher, with some estimates in the thousands. Lawyers representing the victims argue that a full trial would offer many families the opportunity to seek justice and bring forward additional evidence.

Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and gained international notoriety for his "war on drugs," which led to widespread extrajudicial killings. He was arrested in Manila in March 2025, flown to the Netherlands, and has since been held at the ICC's detention unit in Scheveningen Prison. During his initial hearing in April 2025, Duterte appeared frail and confused, making only brief statements.

The charges against Duterte are broken down as follows:

The first charge relates to his alleged role as a co-perpetrator in 19 murders committed between 2013 and 2016 when he was mayor of Davao City.

The second charge involves 14 murders of "high-value targets" between 2016 and 2017, during his presidency.

The third charge covers 43 murders during "clearance" operations against alleged drug users or dealers between 2016 and 2018.

Duterte continues to deny all charges. His lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, emphasized that the defense will vigorously contest the accusations. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has called the hearing a "critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines' war on drugs.'"

The case is particularly significant as it marks the first time an Asian former head of state is facing trial at the ICC. Duterte remains highly popular in the Philippines, where many continue to support his hardline approach to crime. On Monday, two demonstrations are expected in The Hague — one in support of Duterte and another for the victims of the anti-drug campaign.

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte's directive, but the court ruled that it still holds jurisdiction over crimes committed between 2011 and 2019. The defense has appealed the ruling, but a decision is still pending.

This case comes amid ongoing political pressure on the ICC, including two rounds of US sanctions imposed since June 2025, highlighting the complex geopolitical ramifications of the trial.

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