Topline: Rodrigo Duterte appeared in court as victims’ relatives demanded justice and judges rejected his release ahead of an expected November trial.
Published: September 17, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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Rodrigo Duterte (via Facebook)
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the International Criminal Court on Sept. 16 as judges rejected his request for release during his upcoming crimes-against-humanity trial, citing concerns about interference with witnesses.
The 81-year-old faces murder and attempted murder allegations involving dozens of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign, according to Associated Press reporting published by News4JAX. He denies the charges. Wednesday’s pretrial session largely addressed scheduling for a trial expected to begin in November.
Wearing a black suit and white shirt, Duterte smiled and waved to supporters afterward. It was his first public appearance in more than a year. Following his March 2025 arrest in the Philippines and transfer to The Hague, he initially appeared by video from the court’s detention center but had not attended another session until Wednesday.
In Manila, relatives of people killed during the crackdowns gathered to watch the proceedings and called for justice. A small group also demonstrated outside the ICC in support of the case.
The investigation covers crackdowns during Duterte’s years as mayor of Davao and later as president. Prosecutors allege that police officers and government hit squads killed people on his orders, with participants driven by promised payments or fear that they would become targets themselves.
The broader death toll during his presidency remains disputed. National police reported more than 6,000 deaths; human rights groups put the figure as high as 30,000. Those estimates describe the overall crackdown, not the number of killings alleged in this prosecution.
Duterte’s lawyers previously sought dismissal on medical grounds and unsuccessfully requested his release from custody. Judges determined earlier this year that he could stand trial. At a June hearing, presiding Judge Joanna Korner told his lawyers she expected him to attend unless a medical issue prevented it.
His counsel sought further medical assessments earlier this week. After Wednesday’s hearing, the three-judge panel rejected release during trial because of concerns about his ability to interfere with witnesses.
The court announced a preliminary investigation in February 2018. Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC the following month. Judges rejected a defense challenge based on that withdrawal last year, finding that departure from the court’s founding treaty could not shield people from prosecution over alleged crimes already under consideration.
A related effort to arrest former national police chief Ronald Marapon dela Rosa ended in gunfire at the Philippine Senate in May. Nobody was injured. The ICC had made public a warrant connected to the drug killings; dela Rosa went into hiding after the standoff and remains a fugitive.
Separately, the Senate opened an impeachment trial in July for Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. She denies allegations that include accumulating unexplained wealth and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s family. A conviction could permanently bar her from public office.
Rodrigo Duterte remains in custody as preparations continue for the expected November trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Duterte Appears at ICC as Judges Deny Release Over Witness Concerns
Rodrigo Duterte appeared in court as victims’ relatives demanded justice and judges rejected his release ahead of an expected November trial.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 17, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Rodrigo Duterte (via Facebook)
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the International Criminal Court on Sept. 16 as judges rejected his request for release during his upcoming crimes-against-humanity trial, citing concerns about interference with witnesses.
The 81-year-old faces murder and attempted murder allegations involving dozens of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign, according to Associated Press reporting published by News4JAX. He denies the charges. Wednesday’s pretrial session largely addressed scheduling for a trial expected to begin in November.
Wearing a black suit and white shirt, Duterte smiled and waved to supporters afterward. It was his first public appearance in more than a year. Following his March 2025 arrest in the Philippines and transfer to The Hague, he initially appeared by video from the court’s detention center but had not attended another session until Wednesday.
In Manila, relatives of people killed during the crackdowns gathered to watch the proceedings and called for justice. A small group also demonstrated outside the ICC in support of the case.
The investigation covers crackdowns during Duterte’s years as mayor of Davao and later as president. Prosecutors allege that police officers and government hit squads killed people on his orders, with participants driven by promised payments or fear that they would become targets themselves.
The broader death toll during his presidency remains disputed. National police reported more than 6,000 deaths; human rights groups put the figure as high as 30,000. Those estimates describe the overall crackdown, not the number of killings alleged in this prosecution.
Duterte’s lawyers previously sought dismissal on medical grounds and unsuccessfully requested his release from custody. Judges determined earlier this year that he could stand trial. At a June hearing, presiding Judge Joanna Korner told his lawyers she expected him to attend unless a medical issue prevented it.
His counsel sought further medical assessments earlier this week. After Wednesday’s hearing, the three-judge panel rejected release during trial because of concerns about his ability to interfere with witnesses.
The court announced a preliminary investigation in February 2018. Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC the following month. Judges rejected a defense challenge based on that withdrawal last year, finding that departure from the court’s founding treaty could not shield people from prosecution over alleged crimes already under consideration.
A related effort to arrest former national police chief Ronald Marapon dela Rosa ended in gunfire at the Philippine Senate in May. Nobody was injured. The ICC had made public a warrant connected to the drug killings; dela Rosa went into hiding after the standoff and remains a fugitive.
Separately, the Senate opened an impeachment trial in July for Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. She denies allegations that include accumulating unexplained wealth and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s family. A conviction could permanently bar her from public office.
Rodrigo Duterte remains in custody as preparations continue for the expected November trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Duterte Appears at ICC as Judges Deny Release Over Witness Concerns
Rodrigo Duterte appeared in court as victims’ relatives demanded justice and judges rejected his release ahead of an expected November trial.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 17, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Rodrigo Duterte (via Facebook)
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the International Criminal Court on Sept. 16 as judges rejected his request for release during his upcoming crimes-against-humanity trial, citing concerns about interference with witnesses.
The 81-year-old faces murder and attempted murder allegations involving dozens of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign, according to Associated Press reporting published by News4JAX. He denies the charges. Wednesday’s pretrial session largely addressed scheduling for a trial expected to begin in November.
Wearing a black suit and white shirt, Duterte smiled and waved to supporters afterward. It was his first public appearance in more than a year. Following his March 2025 arrest in the Philippines and transfer to The Hague, he initially appeared by video from the court’s detention center but had not attended another session until Wednesday.
In Manila, relatives of people killed during the crackdowns gathered to watch the proceedings and called for justice. A small group also demonstrated outside the ICC in support of the case.
The investigation covers crackdowns during Duterte’s years as mayor of Davao and later as president. Prosecutors allege that police officers and government hit squads killed people on his orders, with participants driven by promised payments or fear that they would become targets themselves.
The broader death toll during his presidency remains disputed. National police reported more than 6,000 deaths; human rights groups put the figure as high as 30,000. Those estimates describe the overall crackdown, not the number of killings alleged in this prosecution.
Duterte’s lawyers previously sought dismissal on medical grounds and unsuccessfully requested his release from custody. Judges determined earlier this year that he could stand trial. At a June hearing, presiding Judge Joanna Korner told his lawyers she expected him to attend unless a medical issue prevented it.
His counsel sought further medical assessments earlier this week. After Wednesday’s hearing, the three-judge panel rejected release during trial because of concerns about his ability to interfere with witnesses.
The court announced a preliminary investigation in February 2018. Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC the following month. Judges rejected a defense challenge based on that withdrawal last year, finding that departure from the court’s founding treaty could not shield people from prosecution over alleged crimes already under consideration.
A related effort to arrest former national police chief Ronald Marapon dela Rosa ended in gunfire at the Philippine Senate in May. Nobody was injured. The ICC had made public a warrant connected to the drug killings; dela Rosa went into hiding after the standoff and remains a fugitive.
Separately, the Senate opened an impeachment trial in July for Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. She denies allegations that include accumulating unexplained wealth and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s family. A conviction could permanently bar her from public office.
Rodrigo Duterte remains in custody as preparations continue for the expected November trial.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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