Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in person before International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday for the first time in more than a year, as the tribunal prepares for a trial expected to open in November.
Duterte, 81, sat quietly through the pretrial hearing, dressed in a black suit and white shirt. He did not address the court. The session dealt mainly with scheduling matters ahead of trial.
The former leader faces charges of crimes against humanity, accused of overseeing death squads responsible for killings during his anti-narcotics campaign, first as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. Prosecutors estimate the crackdown may have left as many as 30,000 dead.
He was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and extradited to the Netherlands, initially appearing before the court only by video link.
His defense team has argued Duterte is unfit for trial due to cognitive decline, but judges ruled earlier this year, following an independent medical review, that he is fit to participate in proceedings. That question is expected to be revisited before the trial formally begins.
Separately, tensions over the case have spilled into domestic politics: an attempt in May to arrest another man wanted by the ICC over the drug killings triggered gunfire inside the Philippine Senate, though no injuries were reported.
