Former Philippine president to appear at ICC hearing in The Hague
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Rodrigo Duterte is set to appear at the ICC for the first time, facing crimes against humanity charges over his "war on drugs."
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Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks inside the Southorn Stadium during a thanksgiving gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino workers for the former populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte is set to appear at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time on Friday, facing crimes against humanity charges linked to his deadly "war on drugs."
In a statement on Thursday, the court confirmed that Duterte is scheduled to appear at 2 pm local time (1 pm GMT), where he will be informed of the allegations against him and his rights as a defendant.
The 79-year-old former Philippine president is accused of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, for his anti-drug campaign, which rights groups claim led to tens of thousands of deaths.
Upon landing in The Hague, the former leader appeared calm and seemingly accepted responsibility for his actions, stating in a Facebook video: “I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible.”
This demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaotic 12-hour standoff during his arrest in Manila on Tuesday. Duterte reportedly threatened a police general with lawsuits, refused to be fingerprinted, and told officers, “You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague,” according to Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre.
The standoff took place at a Philippine airbase before Duterte was eventually escorted by police onto a government-chartered jet bound for the Netherlands. Torre described the encounter as “very tense” and noted that Duterte refused to be fingerprinted.
Duterte’s legal team contested his arrest, arguing that authorities failed to present a copy of the ICC warrant and violated his constitutional rights.
His detention also comes amid a fallout between his family and the Marcoses, former political allies. President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte—Rodrigo’s daughter—are now at odds, with Sara facing an impeachment trial over allegations, including an alleged assassination plot against Marcos.
Sara Duterte is in the Netherlands to stand by her father, calling his arrest "oppression and persecution," while the Duterte family has requested an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court to prevent his transfer. However, victims of the "war on drugs" are hopeful that Duterte will finally be held accountable for his alleged crimes.
