Duterte Declared Fit for ICC Trial Over Crimes Against Humanity

Wed Feb 04 2026 04:56:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been deemed fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, with a confirmation of charges hearing set for February.

The ICC has ruled that Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, is fit to participate in trial proceedings regarding allegations of crimes against humanity. A hearing to determine whether the prosecution's case is strong enough to proceed is scheduled for 23 February. Duterte's past policies, especially the controversial war on drugs, have led to accusations of numerous unlawful killings.

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing on 23 February, where judges will decide if the prosecution's case against Duterte is robust enough to move forward to trial.

Duterte's attorneys previously claimed that the 80-year-old is unfit to take part in ICC proceedings as he has been detained in The Hague since March last year.

He faces accusations of being criminally responsible for numerous murders linked to his controversial war on drugs, which reportedly led to the deaths of thousands of small-time drug offenders and users without fair trials.

Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, advocating for his war on drugs on the premise that it would enhance peace and economic stability.

ICC judges cited input from a panel of medical experts, confirming their satisfaction that Duterte could effectively exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to participate in the pre-trial proceedings. They noted that the mental capacities required to meaningfully exercise one's procedural and fair trial rights need not be at their notionally highest level.

“This ruling sends a message to victims that, in the deliberations concerning Duterte's actions, their voices will not be sidelined by legal technicalities,” remarked Congresswoman Leila de Lima, a prominent critic of Duterte who was imprisoned on drug charges later proven false during his administration.

Duterte’s arrest occurred at Manila airport in March 2025 as his alliance with the current president, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., began to fracture.

His detention has polarized public opinion in the Philippines. While the brutal consequences of his drug policy have drawn severe backlash from civil groups, many of his supporters continue to resonate with his populist appeal against the political elite.

Despite his imprisonment, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao city in May last year. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is also speculated to contest for the presidency in the 2028 elections, especially since Marcos is ineligible for re-election.