Duterte to make first appearance at ICC hearing

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. ARCHIVE

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is set to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Friday (March 14), where he faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs. According to the ICC, the hearing will take place at 2pm local time (1pm GMT or 5pm UAE time). During the session, the 79-year-old will be informed of the charges against him and his rights as a defendant. The hearing will be live-streamed on the ICC website. Duterte is accused of the crime against humanity of murder, with human rights organizations estimating that tens of thousands of people were killed in his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers.

Duterte’s extradition and arrest

Duterte’s chartered flight landed in Rotterdam on March 12 following a stopover in Dubai. His arrest came after Interpol Manila received an official ICC warrant on Tuesday, leading to his swift detention upon arrival in the Philippines from Hong Kong. Authorities reported a standoff at Villamor Air Base before Duterte was placed on a government-chartered jet bound for the Netherlands. His legal team has since challenged the arrest, arguing that Philippine authorities did not present an official copy of the ICC warrant, violating his constitutional rights. Despite the charges, Duterte remains resolute, even appearing to accept responsibility for the actions taken during his presidency. In a Facebook video, he said, “I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible.” He reiterated his long-held stance of protecting law enforcement officers involved in his anti-drug campaign, saying: “For all happened in the past, ako na ‘yung nag-front sa ating law enforcement pati military (I was the one who stood in front for our law enforcement and military). Sinabi ko na I will protect you, ako ang managot sa lahat (I said I will protect you, I will take responsibility for everything).” He also acknowledged the long legal battle ahead, adding: “This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you I will continue to serve my country and so be it kung ganun ang destiny ko (and so be it if that is my destiny).”

Political tensions and family support

Duterte’s extradition has heightened tensions between his family and the administration of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has strongly condemned the arrest, calling it “state kidnapping.” She is currently in the Netherlands to support her father and has sought an emergency Supreme Court injunction to block his transfer. Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal team is expected to push for his interim release at the ICC hearing. If the charges against him are confirmed, a trial could take months or even years to conclude. If convicted, Duterte will serve his sentence in a designated ICC-member state rather than at the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen. His case marks a historic moment, as he is the first Asian former head of state to be indicted by the ICC. ICA/Expat Media