International Criminal Court Begins Pre-Trial Hearing for Duterte
The International Criminal Court (ICC) began a pre-trial hearing on Monday (23 February) to decide whether former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should be tried for crimes against humanity in connection with the deadly anti-narcotics crackdown carried out during his time in power.
The hearing, known as a “confirmation of charges” session, as reported by AFP on Monday (23/2/2026), will run for four days at the court in The Hague, Netherlands, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence against Duterte to proceed to a full trial.
Duterte, now 80 years old, was not present in person at the hearing after the ICC granted his defence team’s request to waive his right to attend, despite judges ruling that he was fit to participate directly.
Following the conclusion of the confirmation of charges hearing, ICC judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision on whether he must face a full trial.
The pre-trial hearing was marked by protests, with rival groups of demonstrators setting up camps outside the court building.
One demonstrator, Patricia Enriquez, a researcher, said the hearing represented a “historic moment” for victims of alleged crimes committed during Duterte’s rule.
“It’s emotional. It’s hopeful. It’s also very painful,” Enriquez, 36, told AFP.
“I hope all Filipinos and everyone in the world will stand with us, stand with the truth, stand with justice, and stand with accountability,” she said.
Another demonstrator, Aldo Villarta, a 35-year-old chef, said the hearing was a “slap in the face” for the Philippines, particularly because an international court was trying a former leader of the country.
“We have long suffered from colonisation,” Villarta said.
ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, accusing him of involvement in at least 76 killings between 2013 and 2018.
The actual number of deaths during the anti-drug war operations in the Philippines under Duterte’s rule is estimated to run into the thousands. Lawyers for the victims argue that a full trial of Duterte could encourage more bereaved families to come forward.
Duterte, who served as President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in Manila in March last year. He was subsequently flown to the Netherlands and has since been held at the ICC’s detention unit in Scheveningen Prison.
Duterte attended his first hearing approximately three days after his arrest via video link, during which he appeared disoriented and visibly frail, and did not speak.