Former Philippine President Duterte Appears at ICC, Surprising with Appearance
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity. Duterte faces charges related to the drug war during his administration, which is accused of causing the extrajudicial execution of tens of thousands of small-scale drug dealers and users.
The 81-year-old man wore a dark suit and white shirt when attending the hearing on Wednesday. This marks his first in-person appearance since his arrest in Manila 18 months ago. Duterte did not make any statement during the proceedings; however, as the session concluded, he was seen waving to family members in the public gallery. Rodrigo Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March 2025.
Previously, Duterte had participated in proceedings via video link and had missed several scheduled hearings. The ICC held a status hearing on Wednesday after Duterte’s legal team argued that the former president’s deteriorating health rendered him unfit to stand trial. The first full trial in this case is scheduled for 30 November.
The drug war was a cornerstone policy of the Duterte administration, which held power from 2016 to 2022. He repeatedly argued that harsh law enforcement was necessary to maintain security and order to support economic growth. The ICC is investigating killings that occurred from 1 November 2011, during his tenure as Mayor of Davao, until 16 March 2019, when the Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC.
Duterte’s lawyer, Peter Haynes, recently informed the court that his client suffers from “significant memory impairment,” making it impossible for him to communicate and coordinate effectively with his legal team. However, prosecutors have refuted these claims. Judges are currently considering whether Duterte is mentally fit to be tried and have ordered medical examinations by three specialists. While the results have not been published, reports suggest the defence claims Duterte believes he is still living in 2007 or 2008, believes he is 84 or 85 years old, and cannot remember the name of US President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, families of victims killed in the anti-drug campaign followed the trial via live broadcast in Manila. Llore Pasco, who lost two sons, told Reuters, “We are glad he finally appeared and seems well. In fact, he looks like he has gained weight.” Randy Delos Santos, who lost a teenage nephew in 2017, expressed satisfaction at Duterte’s presence, hoping his physical condition might expedite the trial process.
In 2019, while serving as president, Duterte revealed he suffered from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease affecting nerve and muscle function. Upon his election in 2016 at age 71, he became the oldest president in Philippine history at the time of winning the election.
The Duterte family is currently involved in a fierce political power struggle to maintain control in the Philippines. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is engaged in an escalating public feud with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The breakdown of the Duterte-Marcos alliance, which secured their landslide victories in the 2022 election, paved the way for Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest at Manila Airport in March 2025.
Sara Duterte is currently one of the strongest candidates to succeed Marcos in the 2028 presidential election. Under the Philippine constitution, an incumbent president cannot run for a second term. However, she is simultaneously fighting to secure her political future amidst an ongoing impeachment process. If found guilty, she would be disqualified from running for public office. She faces allegations of misuse of public funds as well as threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and the President’s cousin and Congressman, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.