ICC holds hearing to decide if ex‑Philippine president Duterte should face trial for drug war crimes
Feb 24th 2026
The International Criminal Court is holding a four-day confirmation of charges hearing to determine whether Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign between 2011 and 2019.
- ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity and allege his involvement in at least 76 murders.
- The alleged conduct covers 1 November 2011 to 16 March 2019, spanning his time as Davao mayor and the first half of his presidency.
- Prosecutors say he acted as an indirect co-perpetrator who directed police and hired hitmen under the Operation Double Barrel anti-drug campaign.
- Human rights groups estimate up to 30,000 people were killed in the drug war, while police maintain many killings were in self-defence.
- Duterte waived his right to attend the hearing, denies the accusations, and argues the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute so the ICC lacks jurisdiction.
- He was arrested at Manila airport last March, flown to The Hague where he remains detained, and is the first Asian former head of state indicted by the ICC.
- After the four-day hearing, judges have 60 days to issue a written ruling on whether there is sufficient evidence to move to a full trial.