Official handout
Manuel Mogato | September 17, 2026
THE HAGUE — Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines’ former president, showed up for a “status hearing” at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the first time since his arrest in Manila 18 months ago.
The 81-year-old former leader faces three counts of crime against humanity for the killings of dozens of poor people in a brutal and bloody campaign to eliminate illegal drugs.
He wore a dark suit and white shirt with no tie as the ICC proceedings opened on Tuesday.
His trial was set for November 30, which could take months or even years.
This was the first time Duterte had been seen since his arrest in March 2025.
His defense team has argued he is not mentally fit to follow proceedings and that his condition continues to deteriorate. (Also read: ICC Appeals Chamber rejects Duterte’s appeal)
In a submission published on Tuesday, Duterte’s lawyers said he suffered from “significant memory impairment that prevents him from retaining recent information and reliably accessing memories”.
Judges are weighing whether he is mentally fit to be tried and have ordered a medical assessment by three experts.
That assessment has not been made public, but Duterte’s examination results showed he was fit to stand trial.
The prosecution alleged Duterte had killed thousands of suspected drug dealers and users, first as mayor of Davao City, then as president.
“Decades of murdering his own people, murdering the children of the Philippines, and he claims that he did it all for his country. He doesn’t deny it,” said Julian Nicholls, summing up for the prosecution after the hearings.
“He ran a death squad in Davao that he created,” said Nicholls, referring to the city where he was mayor before he became president.
“He promised to kill thousands, and he did.”
Duterte remains popular in the Philippines, where many favored his tough approach to crime.
