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Agence France-Presse

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will face a crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court from November 30, the presiding judge said on Wednesday.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his so-called “war on drugs”.
The 81-year-old will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the world’s worst crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors had sought the November 30 start and they expect to call between 60 and 70 witnesses during the trial.
“I am prepared to accede to the prosecution’s request,” said presiding judge Joanna Korner. She did, however, order a further assessment of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial before proceedings begin.

The defence, led by British barrister Peter Haynes after a reshuffle, had urged judges not to set a date for trial, arguing that Duterte’s health needed to be assessed.
“It would be inappropriate to attempt to set a date … the defence position is that a commencement is contingent upon a determination … of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial,” the defence said.
Duterte was cleared fit for an earlier hearing that confirmed the charges against him, but he did not appear in person, his defence team saying he was not mentally sharp enough to follow proceedings.
“His condition continues to deteriorate and will need more fully to be reviewed before any trial may commence,” argued the defence.
It is unlikely Duterte will ever appear at the court based in The Hague. Judges have granted him leave of absence at every hearing so far.
The only time he has been seen since his arrest was an initial appearance via video, where he seemed confused and tired, his speech barely audible.
During February “confirmation of charges” hearings, the prosecution alleged Duterte killed thousands of suspected drug pushers 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 (city) that he created. He ran it for over 20 years before he became president. His promise was to kill thousands and he did.”


The true number of killings during his campaign in the Philippines is thought to be in the thousands, and lawyers for the victims have argued that a full trial could encourage more families to come forward.
The case comes with the ICC facing intense political pressure, including two rounds of US sanctions imposed since June 2025.
The Philippines left the ICC in 2019, on Duterte’s instructions, but the court has ruled that it still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed there between 2011 and 2019.
Duterte “absolutely” maintains his innocence, his former defence lawyer Nicolas Kaufman told the court in February.
Kaufman told ICC judges the evidence against Duterte was “wholly insufficient” and the charges “grievously misplaced and politically motivated”.
He argued that while Duterte used “bluster and hyperbole” in his speeches, he also frequently ordered authorities only to shoot in self-defence.
Duterte remains popular in the Philippines, where many favoured his tough approach to crime.


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The Philippines

Philippine ex-president Duterte’s ICC trial to start on November 30

A protester holds an image of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte with a message reading, “Hold Duterte Accountable!”, during a rally in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines in March. Photo: EPA

A protester holds life-size cardboard cut-outs of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte during a protest in his support outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague in February. Photo: AFP

ICC fugitive? Duterte ally’s paid Philippine Senate vanishing act draws fire

Philippine former national police chief and now Senator Ronald Dela Rosa tries a semi-automatic rifle during a defence and sporting show in Pasay City in 2023. Photo: AFP

Then Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte talks to then Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa at a press conference in Manila in 2017. Photo: AFP

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officers handcuff a man suspected of involvement in illegal drugs during a raid in Pasig City in 2017. Photo: EPA

Then Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa testifies during a Senate hearing in Pasay in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Dela Rosa’s flight turns Philippine Senate into battleground for ICC accountability

Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa shows his bandaged fingers during a session at the Senate in Metro Manila on Tuesday, a day after he evaded an ICC arrest warrant. Photo: EPA

Riot police (front) block supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa in front of the Senate gate in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Philippine Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano (second from left) with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the Senate in Metro Manila on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Lawmakers vote on the impeachment of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio at the House of Representatives on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

How fight for Philippine Senate presidency will shape Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio announces her intention to run for presidency on February 18. Photo: AFP

Philippine senators take their oath as jurors in the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte at the plenary hall of the Senate in Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP

Philippine Senate President Alan Cayetano prepares to take his oath as chief judge in Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial on Monday. Photo: AFP

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration to call for the start of the impeachment trial against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte and the arrest of Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa outside the Philippine Senate on Monday. Photo: AFP

Gunshots fired in stand-off at Philippine Senate over ICC suspect

Military personnel enter the Senate building as more than a dozen gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Senate security personnel and police officers ask members of the media to stay back after gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate. Photo: Reuters

Philippine Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the Senate in Pasay City, Metro Manila on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, and will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC


He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, and will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC.


Philippine ex-president Duterte’s ICC trial to start on November 30

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, and will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC

He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, and will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC