Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial before the International Criminal Court after judges confirmed all charges against him, making him the first Asian former head of state to be tried by the tribunal for crimes against humanity.
In a decision released Thursday, April 23, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber unanimously confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with Duterte’s drug war.
The chamber said there were “substantial grounds to believe” that the alleged crimes were committed “as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.”
The ruling committed Duterte to trial, with the case now set to be transferred to a Trial Chamber that will handle the next phase of proceedings.
With the confirmation of charges, the case moves forward to a full trial where judges will determine Duterte’s guilt or innocence based on evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense.
Under ICC rules, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt and has the right to a fair and impartial hearing.
The Trial Chamber will set the schedule for hearings, rule on evidence, and oversee the proceedings, which could take years before a final judgment is reached.
Duterte has been detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands since March 2025 following his surrender to the court.
The confirmation of charges comes a day after the ICC Appeals Chamber upheld court jurisdiction over the case, rejecting Duterte’s argument that the tribunal no longer had authority after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2019.
The Appeals Chamber ruled that withdrawal does not affect cases already under consideration, affirming that the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.
Scope of the case
Prosecutors said thousands of killings linked to the anti-drug campaign were carried out as part of a coordinated and systematic attack against civilians.
The Pre-Trial Chamber said its decision was based on evidence and arguments presented during the confirmation of charges hearing held from Feb. 23 to 27, 2026, as well as submissions from the parties and participating victims.
The ICC has authorized hundreds of victims to participate in the case, allowing them to present their views and concerns as proceedings move forward.
Legal representatives for victims earlier described the ruling as a major step toward accountability, saying it affirms the right to truth and justice.
Next steps
The ICC Presidency will constitute a Trial Chamber composed of three judges who will conduct the trial and determine the timetable for proceedings.
The chamber will also address preliminary matters, including the disclosure of evidence and procedural rules.
