Duterte Appears in Person at ICC for First Time Since Arrest

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. This marked a significant development in his case. He is facing charges over his bloody war on drugs, which saw tens of thousands of small-time drug dealers allegedly executed summarily.

The 81-year-old wore a dark suit and white shirt without a tie on Wednesday. The first time he has been seen in person since his arrest in Manila 18 months ago. Until now, he had appeared before the court by video link and subsequently skipped multiple hearings.

The war on drugs was the centrepiece of Duterte's presidency, which ran from 2016 to 2022. He pointed out that peace and order were necessary to grow the economy. The ICC is looking at killings from November 1, 2011.

At that time, Duterte was mayor of Davao, a sprawling southern metropolis, until March 16, 2019. At that time, he withdrew the Philippines' membership in the ICC.

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Duterte's lawyer Peter Haynes has told the court that his client suffers from "significant memory impairment," making him unable to engage with his legal team. Prosecutors pointed out otherwise. In 2019, when he was still president, Duterte revealed he was suffering from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune condition that causes nerve malfunction.

Duterte's family is caught in a high-stakes dynasty war for control of the Philippines. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, has feuded spectacularly with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos. The break-up of the Duterte-Marcos alliance, which helped them win the 2022 elections by a landslide, paved the way for Rodrigo Duterte's arrest at Manila airport in March 2025.

Sara Duterte is a frontrunner to replace Marcos in the 2028 elections. There, the incumbent is ineligible under the constitution to stand for a second term. But she is also fighting for her political survival in an impeachment trial.

There, if convicted, she will be disqualified from running for public office.

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Llore Pasco, who lost two sons, told Reuters: "We're happy that he has finally appeared and that he looks OK. In fact, he looks like he has put on weight." Randy Delos Santos, who lost his teenage nephew in 2017, told AFP he was happy to see Duterte in court, adding: "We hope that his being physically fit will help speed up the hearings."

Relatives of those who lost loved ones during Duterte's war on drugs cheered as the former president appeared in court.

The first trial date is scheduled for November 30. The ICC has ordered a medical assessment by three specialists to determine whether Duterte is mentally fit to be tried. That assessment has not been made public but according to AFP.

Defence lawyers say it shows Duterte thinks he is living in 2007 or 2008.

Duterte's first night in ICC custody is a key moment for the court. The political feud behind Rodrigo Duterte's downfall is complex and multifaceted.