Internet State

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his "war on drugs," which reportedly resulted in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. Prosecutors claim that Duterte created and funded death squads targeting drug users and dealers, with Philippine police reporting 6,200 suspects killed, while rights groups allege the total could be as high as 30,000. Despite his denial of the charges, citing self-defense during anti-drug operations, Duterte's defense has raised concerns about his health, stating he suffers from serious cognitive decline, yet judges had previously ruled him fit to stand trial, which is set to begin on November 30.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs, which resulted in tens of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings from November 2011 to March 2019. After 18 months of being represented virtually, the 81-year-old noted his deteriorating health as a reason for not attending earlier, and the first trial date is set for 30 November. Meanwhile, Duterte's family is involved in a political feud as his daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, faces an impeachment trial while navigating her potential candidacy for the 2028 elections.

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a pretrial hearing, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to over 30,000 deaths during his anti-drug campaign from 2011 to 2019. While Duterte’s legal team claims he has significant memory impairment affecting his ability to retain information, the prosecution argues he is fit for trial. His trial is set to begin in November 2023, following his absence from previous hearings since his arrest in March 2025.