NewzTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attended a hearing Wednesday at the International Criminal Court, where he's facing charges of crimes against humanity, smiling and waving to supporters during his first public appearance in over a year.The ex-leader is accused of murder and attempted murder for his alleged involvement in dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs during his time in office. He denies the charges against him.Dressed a black suit and a crisp white shirt, the 81-year-old joined a pretrial hearing that focused largely on scheduling concerns ahead of the trial's official start, expected in November.Duterte was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and sent to The Hague. He made his initial appearance via video link from the court's detention center and had not attended another session until Wednesday.His legal team had attempted to get the case thrown out on medical grounds, but judges denied a request for him to be released from custody and ultimately ruled earlier this year that he was healthy enough to stand trial.The ICC has been looking into mass killings in crackdowns overseen by Duterte, first when he served as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president.Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 reported by the national police to up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.According to the prosecutors, police and government hit squads carried out dozens of killings at Duterte’s orders, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.In June, the presiding judge in his case told Duterte’s lawyers that she wanted the ex-leader to turn up.
Duterte to be here unless there’s some medical issue,” Judge Joanna Korner said.Earlier this week, his counsel requested additional medical evaluations.Relatives of those killed in the drug crackdowns held a group watch in Manila, chanting “Justice for all victims of the killings!”A small group of protesters also gathered outside the ICC ahead of the hearing to voice their support for the proceedings.A month after the court in February 2018 announced a preliminary investigation into the violent drug crackdowns, Duterte said the Philippines would withdraw from the ICC.Last year, judges rejected a request from Duterte’s legal te… He denies the charges against him.He has missed a series of hearings since his arrest in 2025. Medical reasons were cited for his absence but the court’s judges ruled in January that he was healthy enough to stand trial.The presiding judge in his case told Duterte’s legal team during an earlier hearing that she wanted the ex-leader to attend Wednesday’s session.“We would expect Mr.
However, the hearing was delayed after a pretrial panel of judges granted a “limited postponement” to give the court time to determine whether Duterte was fit enough to take part in the proceedings.Following an assessment by a panel of medical experts, judges ruled that Duterte is “fit to take part in the pretrial proceedings.”The ICC has been looking into mass killings in crackdowns overseen by Duterte since 2018. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.According to the prosecutors, police and government hit squads carried out dozens of killings at Duterte’s orders, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.A month after the court in February 2018 announced a preliminary investigation into the violent drug crackdowns, Duterte said the Philippines would withdraw from the ICC.Last year, judges rejected a request from Duterte’s legal team to throw out the case because of the Philippine withdrawal. Countries cannot “abuse” their right to withdraw from t…
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