The hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened preliminary proceedings against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, nearly a year after his arrest on dozens of murder charges. The indictment accuses him of at least 78 murders in the country's 'war on drugs' from 2011 to 2019. Duterte is the first former head of state to face charges of crimes against humanity before the court in The Hague. He has been in prison in the Netherlands for almost a year.
According to Ghana News Agency, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang called the start of the proceedings an important signal for the people of the Philippines and international law. 'It is a reminder that those in power are not above the law,' he stated. For the defence, Duterte's lawyer Nicholas Kaufman rejected the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated, arguing that Duterte had only used violence in self-defence. Kaufman described Duterte as a 'president of the people' who had always stood up for the poor, adding, 'He devoted himself to a life of public service, a life of law and order.'
During his tenure as mayor of Davao City and from 2016 to 2022 as president, Duterte waged a relentless fight against drug crime, with an estimated 30,000 victims, according to human rights organizations. In March 2025, he was arrested by the Philippines and handed over to the court. Duterte, 80, was not present in the courtroom, with the defence explaining that he could not attend the hearings in person for health reasons.
Dozens of supporters and opponents of the former president were demonstrating outside the court. In the preliminary proceedings, the judges are expected first to examine the evidence to determine whether it is sufficient to open the main proceedings. A decision is expected in May.