The hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected a motion to dismiss a case against the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, concerning his alleged involvement in the murder of dozens of people during his controversial anti-drug campaign.
According to Ghana News Agency, the defense had challenged the court's jurisdiction over the matter. However, the judges ruled that the ICC holds the authority to proceed with criminal proceedings, thereby upholding a previous decision. Prosecutors have accused the 81-year-old Duterte of committing crimes against humanity through state-led acts of murder and attempted murder in 78 specific instances during his tenure.
The judges are currently evaluating whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial, with a decision anticipated by the end of the month. Duterte, who served as the president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, oversaw an anti-drug campaign that human rights organizations estimate resulted in the deaths of up to 30,000 individuals. Many suspects were reportedly executed without trial, raising significant human rights concerns.
The former president was arrested in Manila in March 2025, following an ICC warrant, and subsequently transported to the Netherlands to face the charges.