Judges from the International Criminal Court have determined that former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte is mentally and physically capable of standing trial, following a delay in proceedings due to concerns about his health. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his alleged role in numerous killings during his anti-drug campaign as both a city mayor and president.
Duterte, aged 80, had claimed his health was declining while in detention at the court’s facility, leading to the postponement of his scheduled appearance in September. However, after a medical evaluation by a panel of experts in geriatric neurology and psychiatry, it was concluded that Duterte is fit to participate in the legal process, with the new hearing set for February 23.
His defense team expressed disappointment with the ruling and intends to appeal, citing a lack of opportunity to present their own medical evidence and challenge the court-appointed experts’ assessments. Upon Duterte’s arrest in March, rights groups and victims’ families welcomed the development, with two organizations supporting affected families describing the court’s decision as a significant step towards justice and accountability.
Prosecutors at the ICC have accused Duterte of authorizing violent acts, including murder, against alleged criminals, particularly drug dealers and users. The investigation into Duterte’s actions began in 2018, focusing on his tenure as mayor of Davao and later as president, during which thousands of deaths occurred as part of his anti-drug campaign.
Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, judges rejected Duterte’s legal team’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case. The court emphasized that countries cannot evade accountability for alleged crimes by exiting the Rome Statute. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency range from over 6,000 reported by the national police to as high as 30,000 according to human rights organizations.