The International Criminal Court judges announced on Monday their decision that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is mentally and physically capable of standing trial. This ruling came after a previous hearing was postponed due to concerns regarding Duterte’s health. Duterte is accused of crimes against humanity related to numerous killings linked to his anti-drug campaign during his tenure as mayor and president.
Duterte, aged 80, was arrested in March and was initially scheduled to appear in court in The Hague in September. However, the hearing was delayed to assess Duterte’s fitness to participate in the legal proceedings. Following evaluations by medical experts in geriatric neurology and psychiatry, the judges concluded that Duterte can effectively engage in the upcoming pre-trial proceedings, now rescheduled for Feb. 23.
Duterte’s lead attorney expressed disappointment with the court’s decision and plans to appeal, citing the defense’s inability to present its medical evidence and challenge the judges’ chosen experts. Rights groups and victims’ families welcomed Duterte’s arrest and viewed the court’s ruling as a significant step towards justice and accountability.
According to ICC prosecutors, Duterte allegedly authorized violent actions, including murders, against suspected criminals, particularly drug dealers and users. The investigation into Duterte’s actions during his time as mayor of Davao and later as president began in 2018. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, judges maintained jurisdiction over the case, emphasizing that countries cannot evade accountability by withdrawing from the Rome Statute.
Estimates of the death toll linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign vary widely, with reports ranging from over 6,000 acknowledged by the national police to potentially exceeding 30,000 according to human rights organizations.