On March 14, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, aged 79, made his initial appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) via videoconference from a detention facility in The Hague. This appearance follows his arrest in Manila on March 11, 2025, on charges of crimes against humanity related to the controversial “war on drugs” campaign he led during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
The ICC had issued a warrant for Duterte’s arrest on March 7, 2025, citing reasonable grounds to believe he was responsible for the murder of at least 19 individuals, allegedly drug pushers and users, between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
The arrest warrant was initially classified as “secret” but was made public on March 11, 2025.
Duterte’s arrest in Manila was met with significant controversy. His lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, described the arrest as “pure and simple kidnapping,” asserting that Duterte was denied access to legal recourse in the Philippines, characterizing the move as politically motivated.
Supporters of Duterte, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, have decried the arrest, calling it illegal and politically charged.
During the initial hearing, Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a pretrial hearing date for September 23, 2025, to determine if the prosecution’s evidence was sufficient to proceed to trial. If the case advances and Duterte is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The charges against Duterte stem from his administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign, which has been widely criticized by human rights organizations for alleged extrajudicial killings. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency vary, with national police reporting over 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups suggest the number could be as high as 30,000.
Duterte’s defense team has challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case, noting that the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019. However, the court maintains that it has jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.
The arrest and subsequent proceedings have elicited mixed reactions within the Philippines. Families of victims of the drug crackdown view Duterte’s appearance in court as a long-awaited sign of hope for justice. Conversely, Duterte’s supporters perceive the arrest as a politically motivated act, further deepening the nation’s political divide.
Duterte’s case marks a significant moment in international justice, as he becomes the first former Asian head of state to be tried at the ICC. The upcoming pretrial hearing in September will be crucial in determining whether the case proceeds to a full trial, a process that could take years to conclude.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Philippines and the international community will closely watch the developments, reflecting on the implications for accountability and justice concerning state-led policies and actions.