The International Criminal Court (ICC) began hearings on Monday concerning accusations against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is being prosecuted for crimes against humanity in connection with his war on drugs waged between 2016 and 2022. For Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, this case constitutes "a reminder that the powerful are not above the law."
According to the prosecution, Rodrigo Duterte allegedly "authorized murders" and "personally selected some of the victims." The prosecution alleges that he played a central role in extrajudicial killings, first as mayor of Davao and then as president of the Philippines.
The so-called "confirmation of charges" hearings allow judges to determine whether the evidence presented is sufficient to open a trial. The ICC has 60 days after the conclusion of the hearings to issue its decision.
Eighty-year-old Rodrigo Duterte did not appear at the hearing. The court accepted his request to waive his right to appear in person during this phase of the proceedings. Arrested in Manila in March 2025 during the presidency of his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he was transferred to the Netherlands and is being held in Scheveningen prison, near The Hague.
He is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity: alleged participation in 19 murders when he was mayor of Davao (2013-2016), involvement in 14 assassinations of "high-value targets" in 2016-2017, and responsibility for 43 murders related to anti-drug operations between 2016 and 2018. The prosecutor emphasizes that these cases represent "only a fraction" of the alleged victims.
Human rights organizations believe that Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds, often killed by police or self-defense groups without formal evidence of their involvement in drug trafficking.
While this policy has drawn sharp international condemnation, it has also enjoyed widespread support among the Filipino population. Outside the ICC, demonstrators both for and against the former president gathered, illustrating the persistent division surrounding his legacy.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 at the initiative of Rodrigo Duterte. However, the Court maintains that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed between 2011 and 2019. The defense contests this jurisdiction, and an appeal is still pending.
For human rights organizations, these hearings represent a crucial step towards a possible judicial recognition of the alleged abuses and towards the criminal responsibility of a former head of state.
