# Duterte appears at The Hague for crimes against humanity trial

> The former Philippine president faces charges over his war on drugs that killed tens of thousands.
- Title: Duterte appears at The Hague for crimes against humanity trial
- Summary: The former Philippine president faces charges over his war on drugs that killed tens of thousands. Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person court appearance…
- Keywords: rodrigo duterte, international criminal court, the hague, philippines, war on drugs, crimes against humanity, sara duterte, ferdinand marcos, manila, icc trial, news, world
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq986j7x1nd3o
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:39:06.719+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rodrigo duterte, international criminal court, the hague, philippines, war on drugs, crimes against humanity, sara duterte, ferdinand marcos, manila, icc trial, news, world
## Duterte appears in person
The 81-year-old former Philippine president showed up at The Hague for the first time since his arrest 18 months ago. He wore a dark suit and waved at family but didn't speak.
## Charged over drug war killings
Duterte faces crimes against humanity charges for his war on drugs. Tens of thousands of dealers, users and others were allegedly executed summarily from 2011 to 2019.
## Lawyers claim memory loss
Defence lawyers say Duterte has significant memory impairment and thinks he's living in 2007 or 2008. Judges ordered a medical assessment to determine if he's fit to stand trial.
## Victims' families react
Relatives of those killed watched from Manila and said Duterte looked healthy. One father who lost two sons said the former president appeared to have put on weight.

> We're happy that he has finally appeared and that he looks OK. In fact, he looks like he has put on weight.
## Political dynasty war enabled arrest
Duterte's daughter Sara, now vice president, feuded with President Marcos. Their alliance broke down after winning the 2022 election, paving the way for Duterte's arrest in March 2025.
## Sara Duterte faces impeachment
The vice president is fighting for political survival in an impeachment trial. She's charged with misusing funds and threatening to assassinate Marcos and his family.
## Key takeaway

Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person court appearance at the ICC, facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity during his brutal war on drugs.