DUTERTE MAKES FIRST IN-PERSON APPEARANCE BEFORE ICC JUDGES

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made his first in-person appearance before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he faces charges linked to his administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign. The former president appeared in court on Tuesday for a hearing concerning the case against him.

Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in March and transferred to The Hague after an arrest warrant was issued by the ICC. Prosecutors accuse him of crimes against humanity over alleged killings carried out during his anti-drug campaign and during his earlier tenure as mayor of Davao City.

During the hearing, ICC judges were expected to address preliminary matters surrounding the case, including Duterte’s health and whether he is fit to participate in future proceedings. His legal team has challenged the court’s jurisdiction and has argued that the former president should not be tried by the ICC.

The case centres on allegations that thousands of people were killed in police operations and other incidents connected to Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. Philippine authorities have previously disputed some of the figures surrounding the deaths, while human rights organisations have repeatedly called for accountability over alleged extrajudicial killings.

Duterte’s appearance marks a significant stage in the ICC proceedings against the former Philippine leader. The court will determine the next steps in the case as judges consider the prosecution’s allegations and arguments from Duterte’s defence team before deciding whether the proceedings should move forward.