# Duterte faces ICC trial for drug war killings

> Former Philippine president appears in person at The Hague to answer crimes against humanity charges over his deadly anti-drug campaign.
- Title: Duterte faces ICC trial for drug war killings · Malay Mail
- Summary: Former Philippine president appears in person at The Hague to answer crimes against humanity charges over his deadly anti-drug campaign. Duterte's first…
- Keywords: rodrigo duterte, international criminal court, philippines, crimes against humanity, war on drugs, the hague, drug war killings, trial, asian leader prosecution, news, world, Duterte
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/16/philippines-exleader-duterte-makes-first-inperson-icc-appearance-on-crimesagainsthumanity-charges/235440
- Published: 2026-09-16T19:04:49+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: rodrigo duterte, international criminal court, philippines, crimes against humanity, war on drugs, the hague, drug war killings, trial, asian leader prosecution, news, world
## Duterte appears at ICC for first time
The 81-year-old former Philippine president showed up in person at The Hague after months of skipping hearings due to illness. He sat silently through a one hour and 15 minute status hearing.
## Historic trial for Asian leader
Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
## Three counts of crimes against humanity
Prosecutors allege Duterte's involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his offensive against drug users and sellers.
## Trial set to begin in November
Judge Joanna Korner scheduled the trial to start November 30, with proceedings potentially lasting months or even years.
## Defence overwhelmed by evidence volume
Duterte's lawyers say the prosecution filed around 62,000 documents, making it impossible to prepare adequately before trial. The judge criticized the prosecution for 'wholesale dumping' of evidence.

> It's quite enormous. It's impossible. We haven't got a prayer of reading such a mountain of documents before the trial starts.
## Questions about mental fitness
Judges ordered a medical assessment after Duterte's defence submitted evidence showing he has significant memory impairment and thinks he is living in 2007 or 2008.
## Duterte claims political persecution
His defence argues the charges are politically motivated and that while Duterte used 'bluster and hyperbole' in speeches, he ordered authorities to shoot only in self-defence.

> The evidence against Duterte was wholly insufficient and the charges grievously misplaced and politically motivated.
## Drug war killed thousands
The true number of killings during Duterte's campaign as mayor and president is thought to be in the thousands, far exceeding the 76 murders prosecutors allege.
## Families welcome his appearance
Relatives of victims killed in the anti-drugs campaign expressed hope that Duterte's physical presence in court will help speed up the hearings and bring justice.

> We are very happy that he is now able to attend in person. We hope that his being physically fit will help speed up the hearings.
## Duterte remains popular at home
Despite the ICC charges, Duterte maintains support in the Philippines where many favoured his tough approach to crime and drug enforcement.
## Key takeaway

Duterte's first in-person ICC appearance marks a historic moment for Asian leadership accountability, though questions about his mental fitness and massive evidence volumes complicate the path to trial.