{
  "id": 7767602,
  "title": "Former Philippines leader Duterte appears before ICC judges for first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/former-philippines-leader-duterte-appears-before-icc-judges-for-first",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T11:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-16-former-philippines-leader-duterte-appears-before-icc-judges-for-first-time/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, aged 81, made his first appearance in the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday to face murder charges related to his war on drugs. The trial, set to begin in November, involves allegations that Duterte's administration engaged in a systematic campaign resulting in thousands of killings between 2011 and 2019. During the proceedings, the presiding judge requested prosecutors to expedite the trial due to Duterte's age and health concerns, as he has been diagnosed with cognitive decline. Duterte, dressed in a black suit and white shirt, remained silent and did not stand for the proceedings. His lawyers have expressed concern over the enormous amount of evidence presented by the prosecution.",
  "summary": "Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in the courtroom on Wednesday for the first time since being transferred to the International Criminal Court 18 months ago to face murder charges regarding his war on drugs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Duterte appears in person at ICC for first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/duterte-appears-in-person-at-icc-for-first-time",
        "published": "2026-09-16T09:08:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Philippines' Duterte seen in person for first time at International Criminal Court",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/philippines-duterte-seen-in-person-for-first-time-at-international",
        "published": "2026-09-16T10:39:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Philippines ex‑leader Duterte makes first in‑person ICC appearance on crimes‑against‑humanity charges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/philippines-ex-leader-duterte-makes-first-in-person-icc-appearance-on",
        "published": "2026-09-16T11:04:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Duterte returns to ICC courtroom as trial for crimes against humanity nears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/duterte-returns-to-icc-courtroom-as-trial-for-crimes-against-humanity",
        "published": "2026-09-16T12:23:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Duterte in person at ICC for first time over ‘war on drugs’ killings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/duterte-in-person-at-icc-for-first-time-over-war-on-drugs-killings",
        "published": "2026-09-16T13:01:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}