Former president Rodrigo Duterte on October 28, 2024. (Philstar)
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte faces a four-day confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court on February 23 over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drugs campaign. Judges will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The 80-year-old will not attend in person after being granted permission to waive his right to appear. He was arrested in Manila in March last year and transferred to the court’s detention unit in Scheveningen.
Prosecutors accuse Duterte of involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018, including killings carried out while he was mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. He denies the charges and rejects allegations of a state policy to murder suspects. Rights groups describe the hearing as a critical step towards justice over the controversial “war on drugs”, which critics say left thousands dead.
About The Author
