Former President Duterte appears in public for first time since ICC arrest 18 months ago

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first public appearance in 18 months at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, as judges convened to evaluate whether the 81-year-old is mentally and physically fit to stand trial for crimes against humanity.

Duterte, dressed in a black suit and white shirt, remained silent during the hearing at The Hague. It marked his first public appearance since March 2025, when he was arrested and transferred to the ICC’s detention unit.

The hearing comes ahead of his trial, which is currently scheduled to begin in November.

Defense lawyers have argued that the former leader suffers from severe cognitive decline and is unfit to face trial. However, ICC judges ruled in January that his health was sufficient to follow court proceedings and ordered him to attend the hearing in person rather than appearing via video link.

Duterte’s legal team and family did not respond to requests for comment following Wednesday’s proceedings.

Accusations of Death Squads and Thousands Killed

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, faces murder charges related to his signature anti-narcotics campaign. The ICC arrest warrant alleges he created, funded, and armed death squads that executed targeted drug suspects, ordering a "widespread and systematic campaign" that spanned from 2011 to 2019, including his time as mayor of Davao City.

While official police records state that roughly 6,200 suspects were killed in self-defense during official anti-drug operations, ICC prosecutors estimate the actual body count could be as high as 30,000.

Duterte has consistently maintained that police were instructed to act strictly in self-defense, previously telling supporters he was prepared to "rot in jail" if it meant eradicating illegal drugs from the Philippines.

-Paraluman News with reporting by Anthony Deutsch, editing by Bart Meijer/Reuters