The legal team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced plans to push for the dismissal of crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) ahead of its next scheduled hearing on September 23.
Duterteโs lawyers are expected to file motions to dismiss the case, which involves allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses linked to his administrationโs controversial “war on drugs.”
The ICCโs Pre-Trial Chamber I set the September 23 hearing to determine whether the charges will proceed to a full trial. This follows Duterteโs first appearance before the court on March 14, marking a critical phase in the case.
The former presidentโs defense team maintains that the charges are politically motivated and lacks sufficient legal basis. Meanwhile, human rights advocates and international organizations continue to call for accountability for the thousands of lives lost during Duterteโs anti-drug campaign.
