Duterte appears at ICC as Manila families of drug war victims watch

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court on Wednesday for a pretrial hearing, his first public appearance in more than a year, as relatives of victims of his anti-drug crackdowns gathered in Manila to watch the proceedings.

Duterte, 81, is facing charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, over his alleged role in dozens of killings carried out during his so-called war on drugs. He has denied the charges. Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, he smiled and waved to supporters during the session, which focused largely on scheduling ahead of a trial expected to begin in November.

In Manila, families of those killed in the crackdowns held a group watch, cheering when Duterte appeared on screen and chanting "Justice for all victims of the killings!" Some held placards reading "Hold Duterte accountable."

Llore Pasco, a mother who lost two sons in alleged extrajudicial killings, said she was pleased the former president had faced the court. "He actually looks fine. He's even gained some weight, so we expect that he is truly fit to face the trial," she said.

Dahlia Cuartero, another mother of a drug war victim, said the group was surprised to see him looking strong. "Our prayers that he would remain strong enough for justice to be served for all his victims were answered," she said.

Salvacion Ramos, also a mother of a victim, called for all those she described as accomplices to be held to account, noting that Senator Roland dela Rosa remains in hiding. "We want all the accomplices to be apprehended and served with warrants by the ICC," she said.

Duterte was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and transferred to The Hague. He made his initial appearance by video link from the court's detention center and had not attended another session until Wednesday. His legal team had sought to have the case dismissed on medical grounds, but judges rejected a request for his release and ruled earlier this year that he was healthy enough to stand trial. Earlier this week, his counsel requested additional medical evaluations.

The ICC has been examining mass killings in crackdowns overseen by Duterte, first as mayor of Davao and later as president. Death toll estimates vary, from more than 6,000 reported by national police to as many as 30,000 cited by human rights groups. Prosecutors allege that police and government hit squads carried out dozens of killings at Duterte's orders, motivated by money or fear of becoming targets themselves.

A small group of protesters also gathered outside the ICC ahead of the hearing to voice support for the proceedings.

The case has proceeded despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC, which Duterte announced in 2018, a month after the court opened a preliminary investigation into the drug crackdowns. Judges last year rejected a defense request to throw out the case over the withdrawal, saying countries cannot abuse their right to leave the court's founding Rome Statute to shield people from justice for alleged crimes already under consideration.

Earlier this year, an attempt to arrest another man wanted by the ICC in connection with the drug killings ended in gunfire at the Philippine Senate in May. No one was hurt. The court had unsealed an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, who served as national police chief under Duterte. He went into hiding after the standoff and remains at large.

In July, the Philippine Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, opened a trial of Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. If convicted on charges that include amassing unexplained wealth and publicly threatening the family of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., she could be permanently barred from public office. She denies the charges.