Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been deemed fit to face trial by judges at the International Criminal Court. The hearing, initially postponed due to concerns about Duterte’s health, involves charges of crimes against humanity related to numerous killings during his anti-drug campaign as mayor and president. Duterte’s defense argued his poor health, but medical experts assessed him and confirmed his ability to participate in the proceedings. The trial has been rescheduled for Feb. 23.
Duterte’s lead lawyer expressed disappointment and plans to appeal the decision, claiming the defense was not given a fair chance to present medical evidence. Rights groups and victims’ families welcomed Duterte’s arrest in March. The court’s ruling is seen as a significant step towards justice and accountability, according to advocacy organizations. Prosecutors allege that Duterte authorized violent acts, including murders, against alleged criminals. The ICC investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug operations began in 2018, despite the Philippines’ subsequent withdrawal from the court in an attempt to evade accountability.
The death toll during Duterte’s presidency varies, with police reporting over 6,000 deaths and human rights groups estimating up to 30,000 casualties.