The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will make his first appearance in the Pre-Trial Chamber I at 2 PM on the 14th, to face a hearing related to charges from his anti-drug campaign.
According to the ICC's announcement, the main content of the hearing includes confirming Duterte's identity and formally informing him of the charges and his rights under the Rome Statute. The pre-trial will be presided over by Romanian judge Iulia Motoc.
Duterte vigorously pursued anti-drug operations during his tenure as Mayor of Davao City and later as President of the Philippines. In February 2018, the ICC officially notified the Philippine government to initiate a preliminary investigation into whether this anti-drug campaign involved human rights violations. In response, the Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, stating that it would no longer accept its jurisdiction.
However, the ICC continued to investigate Duterte's anti-drug policies and eventually issued an arrest warrant, demanding his presence in The Hague for trial.
On the 11th of this month, Duterte was detained by the police immediately upon his return to Manila International Airport from abroad, and the ICC's arrest warrant was formally presented. The Interpol office in Manila confirmed that the purpose of the arrest warrant was "to ensure Duterte's appearance in court."
On the 12th, the flight carrying Duterte arrived in The Hague, Netherlands, and he was transferred to the ICC. This detention has sparked intense controversy within the Philippines, with supporters calling it "political persecution" and critics seeing it as an important step in addressing human rights issues during the drug war.
As Duterte is set to make his first court appearance, the ICC's trial process will officially begin, with widespread international attention on the further developments of this case and its potential profound impact on the political situation in the Philippines.
