Duterte attends ICC hearing over murder allegations

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attended his first International Criminal Court hearing via video link on March 14. He is facing murder allegations related to his "war on drugs" campaign, which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Duterte, who arrived in the Netherlands after being arrested on an ICC warrant, appeared frail and confirmed his identity. He will be represented by a court-appointed defense counsel and his former executive secretary. This hearing marks a significant moment as Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC. A confirmation of charges hearing is expected in several months, with a trial likely starting in early 2026.