THE HAGUE, Netherlands. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) via videoconference on Friday, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle over his administration’s deadly war on drugs.
Duterte, 79, participated remotely from the detention center where he is being held, just over a kilometer from the ICC courtroom. His arrest in Manila earlier this week on murder charges linked to the anti-drug crackdown has sparked both hope among victims’ families and outrage among his supporters, who decry the arrest as politically motivated.
A Polarizing Court Appearance
For families of those killed in Duterte’s drug war, his court appearance is a long-awaited step toward justice. Meanwhile, his vocal supporters call his arrest illegal. His lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, strongly criticized the circumstances of Duterte’s arrest in Manila, labeling it as “pure and simple kidnapping.” He argued that the former president “was denied all access to the legal recourse in the country of his citizenship, and this all like political score-settling.”
Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc scheduled a pretrial hearing for September 23 to determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial. If convicted, Duterte faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency vary, with Philippine police reporting more than 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups claim the number could be as high as 30,000.
Health Concerns and Court Proceedings
Duterte, dressed in a jacket and tie, listened to the hearing through headphones, often with his eyes closed. He confirmed his name, date, and place of birth in English but was not required to enter a plea. Due to his recent long-haul flight, the court granted him permission to attend via videoconference.
Medialdea revealed that Duterte had been under medical observation, but Judge Motoc clarified that “the court doctor thought that you were fully mentally aware and fit.”
Vice President Sara Duterte Speaks Out
Following Duterte’s arrest on Tuesday in Manila, where he was swiftly transported to the Netherlands, his daughter, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, visited him at the detention center on Friday. She reassured supporters outside the court that her father was “in good spirits” and “well taken care of,” though she noted his only complaint was missing Filipino food.
Addressing the crowd of Duterte loyalists, she condemned the arrest as political persecution, declaring, “There will be a day of reckoning for all.” Supporters chanted “Duterte!” and “Yes, yes!” in response.
Activists Demand Justice
In contrast, activists and victims’ families staged demonstrations in the Philippine capital, calling for justice for the thousands killed in the drug war. Many watched the ICC proceedings on screens set up across the country, holding photos of slain loved ones as they heard the charges against Duterte read in a courtroom thousands of miles away.
The Charges Against Duterte
ICC prosecutors allege that Duterte is an “indirect co-perpetrator” in multiple murders, constituting crimes against humanity from November 2011 to March 2019. The charges span his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president.
The prosecution contends that Duterte directed police and death squads to eliminate suspected criminals and drug dealers. He allegedly “provided clearance for specific DDS killings,” recruited and paid the hitmen, supplied them with weapons and resources, and “promised to shield them from prosecution.”
The ICC arrest warrant was issued based on evidence, including witness testimonies, Duterte’s speeches, government documents, and video footage.
Human Rights Groups Respond
Human rights organizations hailed Duterte’s arrest as a landmark victory against impunity. Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, remarked, “Duterte’s appearance before the ICC is a testament to the courage and determination of the victims, their families, and Filipino activists and journalists to pursue justice no matter how long it takes.”
She further noted, “Other leaders facing ICC arrest warrants, like (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu, should take note that even those who seem untouchable today can end up in The Hague.”
Duterte’s Legal Defense
Duterte’s legal team maintains that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the former president, as the Philippines formally withdrew from the court in 2019. Medialdea accused Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of enabling the ICC to take Duterte into custody, stating, “Two troubled entities struck an unlikely alliance—an incumbent president who wishes to neutralize and choke the legacy of my client and his daughter, and a troubled legal institution subject to delegitimization.”
However, ICC judges who approved the arrest warrant ruled that they retain jurisdiction, as the alleged crimes took place before Duterte’s withdrawal from the court.
As the pretrial hearing approaches, the case continues to polarize the Philippines, deepening the divide between Duterte’s allies and human rights advocates pushing for accountability.
With reports from the Associated Press.
