Duterte to Face ICC Trial Over ‘War on Drugs’ Killings in Historic Case

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) after judges confirmed charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial “war on drugs.”

The ruling makes Duterte the first former Asian head of state to be brought before the ICC, which prosecutes individuals accused of the world’s gravest crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Judges said there are “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte is responsible for murder and attempted murder, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in dozens of killings between 2013 and 2018 during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president.

The case centres on accusations that thousands of suspected drug users and dealers were killed under policies linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which drew widespread international criticism.

While the court has confirmed the charges, it remains uncertain whether the 81-year-old will physically appear in The Hague. His legal team argues that he is too frail to stand trial and has previously challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

Despite those objections, ICC judges have cleared the way for proceedings to move forward, with a trial expected to begin in the coming months.

Prosecutors have described the decision as a major step toward justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings, while Duterte’s defence insists the accusations are unfounded and will be disproven in court.

The case comes at a challenging time for the ICC, which has faced mounting political pressure, including sanctions from the United States over other high-profile investigations.

Human rights organisations have welcomed the ruling, calling it a historic moment that reinforces accountability for leaders accused of widespread abuses of power.