ICC opens hearing for Philippines ex-president Duterte
Deutsche Welle
February 23, 2026
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has commenced pretrial hearings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces three counts of crimes against humanity for his alleged role in extrajudicial killings during his so-called war on drugs. The 80-year-old leader is accused of authorizing at least 78 murders as mayor of Davao City and later as national president from 2016 to 2022. Prosecutors argue that Duterte played a "pivotal" role in orchestrating these killings, using fear and financial incentives to mobilize armed groups to target suspected drug users and dealers. Despite his absence from the proceedings, Duterte's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, reiterated his client's innocence.
The case centers on Duterte's brutal crackdown on drugs, which has been widely criticized for its violence and lack of due process. While national police reports indicate at least 6,000 deaths, human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000. During his tenure, Duterte's policies created a climate of fear, with many killings carried out by death squads operating under his alleged directives.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/23/2026