FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, marking his first physical presence before the tribunal since he was arrested in Manila and surrendered to custody in The Hague more than a year ago.
Duterte took his seat in Trial Chamber III for the third status conference in the case against him, where he faces three counts of crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s war on drugs. Prior to Wednesday’s session, his last appearance before the judges was via videoconference on March 14, 2025.
Dressed in a dark suit and open‑collared white shirt, Duterte sat beside his legal team as the court convened to outline the next phases of the proceedings. Judge Joanna Korner formally acknowledged his presence and noted that he may leave the courtroom at any time without seeking permission from the bench. The conference focused on the prosecution’s roster of witnesses, evidence disclosures, and the estimated timeframe for presenting its case, as well as arrangements for scheduled hearing blocks and recesses once the trial begins.
The former president’s defense team has maintained that he is unfit to stand trial, citing advanced age and alleged memory impairment. Wednesday’s appearance comes as the court moves steadily toward the formal opening of the trial, now officially set to commence on November 30, 2026. The case centers on the anti‑drug campaign launched during Duterte’s presidency, which the government records acknowledge claimed at least 6,000 lives, while independent human rights estimates place the death toll above 30,000 — including children among the victims.
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