ICC Pre-Trial Hearing for Duterte Begins

Feb 23, 2026

76 min

Feb 23, 2026 02:30

ICC to begin pre-trial hearing for Philippines' Duterte

## ICC Hearing Overview

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to commence a pre-trial hearing to determine if former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte should face trial for crimes against humanity. The hearing, scheduled to last four days, will assess the evidence related to Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign.

## Charges Against Duterte

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, faces three counts of crimes against humanity. The charges include his alleged involvement in 76 murders between 2013 and 2018. The first count pertains to 19 murders during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. The second count involves 14 murders of "High Value Targets" in 2016 and 2017, while the third count covers 43 murders during operations targeting alleged drug users and pushers.

## Legal Proceedings and Reactions

Duterte, currently held at the ICC's detention unit in the Netherlands, will not attend the hearing in person. His legal team successfully requested a waiver for his appearance. Following the hearing, judges will have 60 days to decide if the case should proceed to trial. Human Rights Watch has emphasized the importance of this hearing for justice in the Philippines' "war on drugs."

## Political and Public Response

Despite the charges, Duterte remains popular in the Philippines, where his tough stance on crime is widely supported. The ICC's jurisdiction over the alleged crimes remains a contentious issue, as the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019. Demonstrations are expected in The Hague, with groups both supporting Duterte and advocating for the victims.

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