Former Philippines leader appears before ICC judges for first time

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in an international court for the first time on Wednesday, facing charges of murder related to his anti-drug campaign. The 81-year-old leader, who was once the mayor of Davao, was transferred to The Hague 18 months ago to answer for crimes against humanity. Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, Duterte remained silent during the proceedings, only occasionally sipping water.

Family members in the public gallery watched the hearing via television, with one relative noting that Duterte appeared to have gained weight. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner requested prosecutors to expedite the trial due to Duterte's advanced age and health, emphasizing the importance of a swift resolution. Duterte's legal team criticized the prosecution's extensive disclosure of evidence, as the defendant's lawyers believe it is impractical to review tens of thousands of documents within the given timeframe.

While his condition was not discussed openly in court, his attorneys have revealed that Duterte suffers from cognitive decline, which impacts his memory and daily functioning. In January, ICC judges had confirmed that Duterte's health was sufficient for him to attend the trial in person rather than remotely. The charges allege that Duterte oversaw a systematic campaign responsible for thousands of deaths between 2011 and 2019, a claim backed by a Reuters investigation that estimated as many as 30,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown.

Police reported that 6,200 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations. Duterte maintained that he asked police to act in self-defense and declared his willingness to "rot in jail" if it meant eradicating drug-related crimes in the Philippines.