Ex-Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands this Friday, marking a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into his alleged crimes during his presidency.
The 79-year-old arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday amidst serious allegations of crimes against humanity stemming from his controversial “war on drugs.” The charges include the murder of at least 43 individuals between 2011 and 2019.
The ICC in The Hague confirmed that Duterte’s initial appearance is set for 2 PM local time (1300 GMT) and will be streamed online with a 30-minute delay. During this appearance, judges will verify his identity and assess his ability to follow the proceedings. Duterte will also be informed of the charges against him and his rights under the ICC Rome Statute.
Duterte was detained at Manila Airport on Tuesday due to a warrant issued by the ICC before being flown out of the capital on a chartered aircraft, with a stopover in Dubai. The court confirmed that he was surrendered to their custody on Wednesday.
Serving as president from 2016 to 2022, Duterte led a violent campaign against drug-related crime. Official police statistics report around 6,000 fatalities linked to this campaign, while human rights organizations suggest the true figure could be as high as 30,000, with many victims allegedly executed without trial.
The ICC’s warrant indicates that there are reasonable grounds to believe Duterte was individually responsible for these murders, qualifying them as potential crimes against humanity, with his actions as both mayor of Davao City and later as president under scrutiny.
The ICC has been investigating these alleged crimes in the Philippines since 2018, and it may take several months before any indictment is formally examined in a preliminary hearing.
