Former Philippine President Duterte Faces ICC Charges Over Drug War Killings

Rodrigo Duterte appears in The Hague to face crimes against humanity charges, marking a historic moment for international justice.

Rodrigo Duterte, the first Asian ex-leader arrested on an ICC warrant, will appear in court to be informed of charges linked to his deadly anti-drug campaign.
The ICC accuses Duterte of overseeing thousands of extrajudicial killings during his time as Davao mayor and Philippine president, with death toll estimates ranging from 6,000 to 30,000.
Duterte's arrest followed escalating tensions between his family and the Marcos political dynasty, with President Marcos Jr.'s administration allowing the ICC transfer despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the court in 2019.
Victims' families and human rights advocates hailed Duterte's arrest as a landmark step towards accountability, while his legal team criticized the move as unconstitutional.
The ICC will now determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial, a process that could take years, with Duterte facing a potential life sentence if convicted.