Duterte heads for trial as ICC confirms drug war charges

The International Criminal Court’s pre-trial chamber confirmed crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, setting the stage for a full-blown trial.

Duterte is “criminally responsible” for alleged murder, the chamber said in a decision on Thursday, adding it also “commits Mr. Duterte to a Trial Chamber for trial on the charges as confirmed.”

The 81-year-old Duterte has been detained in an ICC facility in The Hague since March last year on murder charges related to his administration’s war on drugs that killed thousands of suspects. 

The decision follows an ICC appeals chamber ruling on Wednesday which affirmed that the tribunal has jurisdiction over the case.

The former president “authorized murders and personally selected some of the targets,” first as mayor of Davao City then as president, ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said during the hearing in February, which Duterte skipped.

Duterte’s defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman called the charges “grievously misplaced and politically motivated.”

Duterte, president from 2016 to 2022, is the father of the Philippines’ incumbent vice president Sara Duterte, who is facing impeachment complaints on allegations that include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Sara Duterte and Marcos joined forces in the 2022 election but their alliance collapsed due to political differences.

The Marcos administration helped facilitate the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, which the vice president has criticized as “kidnapping.” 

The younger Duterte has announced a plan to run for president in 2028 when Marcos’ single term of six years expires.

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-With assistance from Claire Jiao.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:26 AM.