• The International Criminal Court is holding a confirmation hearing for former President Rodrigo Duterte.
• Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.
• The prosecution alleges he played a key role in the extrajudicial killings of thousands.
• Despite being found fit to attend, Duterte waived his right to appear at the hearings.
• Judges will have 60 days to decide if there is enough evidence for a full trial.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) commenced hearings on February 23 to confirm charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces allegations of crimes against humanity arising from his controversial anti-drug campaign. Prosecutors allege that Duterte's actions during his administration led to the deaths of thousands, many of whom were civilians, including children. This hearing is a significant step in assessing whether sufficient grounds exist to formally try him for his actions during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, according to Al Jazeera and AA.

Duterte is charged with three counts related to the systematic killings of suspected drug offenders and users, with prosecutors claiming these acts comprised only a fraction of the real death toll, reportedly high as 30,000. Prosecutor Mame Niang emphasized Duterte's pivotal role, stating, “His so-called war on drugs resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians,” underscoring the gravity of the charges against him, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.