Duterte in ‘good condition’ at ICC

Malacañang said former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be in “good condition” during his first in-person appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte also appeared to have accepted the continuation of proceedings on crimes against humanity charges linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Unang-una sa mga kababayan natin, nakita naman po natin na maganda naman po ang kalagayan ng ating dating Pangulo na si dating Pangulong Duterte,” Castro said during a press briefing on Thursday.

“At nakita naman namin na mukhang accepted naman niya po na magtuloy-tuloy ang hearing sa ICC.”

Duterte, wearing a black suit and white shirt, attended Wednesday’s third status conference before ICC Trial Chamber III.

He was arrested by Philippine authorities in March 2025 and subsequently surrendered to the ICC in The Hague. He had not been seen in public since his arrest.

During the conference, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner urged prosecutors to reduce the number of witnesses and evidence they intend to present, citing the need to “conclude the case as quickly as possible.”

The ICC trial is scheduled to start on Nov. 30 and will focus on alleged killings connected to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign during his presidency.

Duterte faces allegations of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed in connection with the anti-drug campaign he launched while serving as Davao City mayor and later continued as president.

The campaign, which began in 2016, drew condemnation from local and international human rights groups over thousands of deaths linked to police operations and alleged vigilante killings.