Duterte on Trial for Crimes Against Humanity: What You Need to Know

Published: 24 February 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is at the centre of historic hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where judges are evaluating whether to confirm charges of crimes against humanity connected to his controversial “war on drugs.” The proceedings, which opened this week, could determine whether he faces a full trial for actions taken during his tenure as both mayor and president of the Philippines.

Duterte, 80, is accused of overseeing policies and operations that led to widespread extrajudicial killings. Prosecutors allege that thousands of individuals were murdered in the context of his campaign against illegal drugs, with some victims reportedly targeted in death squad operations and others during nationwide police crackdowns. The ICC has formally charged him with three counts of murder as crimes against humanity; the alleged offences span years when Duterte served as mayor of Davao City and later as the country’s president.

The current phase before the court is a “confirmation of charges” hearing, not a full trial. Over several days, prosecutors are presenting evidence intended to demonstrate that there are “substantial grounds to believe” Duterte committed the alleged crimes. Judges have up to 60 days after the hearing’s conclusion to decide whether the case should proceed to trial in the ICC’s Trial Chamber.

Duterte was arrested in Manila in March 2025 on the basis of an ICC warrant and subsequently transferred to the court’s custody in the Netherlands. He has denied the allegations and rejected the court’s jurisdiction, but his defence successfully obtained a waiver allowing him to skip in‑person attendance at the hearings while still participating through legal counsel.

The charges stem from killings that human rights organisations and investigators contend were part of a systematic campaign against civilians suspected of drug offences. Prosecutors in The Hague have sought to link Duterte to policies that authorised or facilitated the deaths, arguing that the violence met the legal threshold for crimes against humanity under international law. Victims’ representatives have urged the court to confirm the charges, framing the hearings as a rare opportunity for accountability after years of impunity.

Duterte’s case is unprecedented in the region; he is widely considered the first former Asian head of state to face ICC proceedings on such serious allegations. The outcome of the confirmation hearing will shape the future of the case. If the judges find there is sufficient evidence, the matter will move to a full trial where guilt or innocence will be determined. If not, the proceedings may halt before that stage.

Supporters of Duterte within the Philippines continue to back him politically, portraying the ICC process as biased or unjust, while human rights advocates maintain that justice is necessary for victims and their families. The broader implications of the trial touch on international obligations, state sovereignty and the global fight against impunity for mass atrocities — themes that resonate far beyond the Philippines.

Read More At>>