FORMER Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appear in public for the first time since his transfer to the International Criminal Court 18 months ago, as judges on Wednesday hear arguments over whether he is fit to stand trial on crimes-against-humanity charges linked to his war on drugs.
Duterte, 81, was arrested and taken to The Hague in March 2025 after serving as president from 2016 to 2022.
Reuters cited today that his trial is scheduled to begin in November, but his lawyers have argued that he suffers from cognitive decline and is not well enough to face proceedings.
ICC judges ruled in January that Duterte was sufficiently well to follow proceedings and ordered him to appear in court rather than participate by video link from the detention unit.
The hearing on Wednesday will focus on his health and ability to stand trial.
Duterte's lawyers and family did not respond to requests for comment.
The ICC has charged Duterte with crimes against humanity over an alleged widespread and systematic campaign of killings targeting suspected narcotics dealers and users.
His arrest warrant alleges that he was responsible for a campaign that resulted in thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019, including during his tenure as mayor of Davao, in the southern Philippines.
ICC prosecutors have said as many as 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown. Reuters has previously reported details of the campaign in an investigation.
According to police, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations.
Duterte has defended the crackdown, saying he instructed police to act in self-defence. He also told supporters he was ready to “rot in jail” if it meant ridding the Philippines of illicit drugs.
The ICC proceedings will determine whether the case can proceed to trial, with the November hearing dependent on the court's assessment of Duterte's fitness to stand trial. - September 16, 2026
