Key takeaways:

• Rodrigo Duterte's first hearing at the ICC took place via video link due to health concerns.
• He faces serious allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his brutal "war on drugs."
• Duterte's attorney claims he was "abducted" and is too ill to participate fully in his defense.
• A hearing to confirm the charges is set for September 23, 2025.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made a noteworthy appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 14, 2025, via video link. This decision was made due to concerns over his health after he was extradited from Manila to The Hague to face charges related to his controversial war on drugs, which is believed to have resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.

Duterte, 79, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, confirmed his identity during the session but appeared frail and tired. His attorney, Salvador Medialdea, claimed that Duterte's arrest was "pure and simple kidnapping," arguing that his client had been "abducted" and that he suffers from severe medical issues that prevent him from fully participating in his defense.

In response to the claims of his ill health, Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc stated that a court-appointed doctor had deemed Duterte "fully mentally aware and fit" to stand trial. While the judge acknowledged the legal team's concerns, she scheduled a pretrial hearing for September 23 to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed further.

The court's action comes during a turbulent political period in the Philippines, with the Duterte and Marcos families experiencing a dramatic fallout, leading to Duterte's extraordinary fall from power. The Philippines has seen a divide among supporters and victims' families, with the latter expressing hope that justice will finally be served as they watch the proceedings unfold.

Duterte, as the first Asian former head of state to be tried at the ICC, marks a significant moment for international law, as prosecutors accuse him of overseeing a systematic attack on civilians that resulted in a staggering number of fatalities during his administration's anti-drug campaigns. Throughout this phase, victims' families have rallied for accountability, while Duterte's supporters claim he remains a victim of political maneuvering.

The court will convene again to discuss the confirmation of charges, with a trial not expected to commence until 2026, pending the outcomes of the pretrial months ahead.

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