Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been given six months to prepare his defense against charges of “crime against humanity of murder” linked to his administration’s “war on drugs.” The case is currently being handled by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
During his first appearance hearing on March 14, Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc scheduled the Confirmation of Charges hearing for September 23. However, the date may be subject to change depending on the progress of legal proceedings, as outlined in Rule 121(7) of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Duterte is facing accusations related to alleged murders committed between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, covering his time as President of the Philippines and Mayor of Davao City. The case is being handled by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, which consists of Judges Motoc, Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and María del Socorro Flores Liera.
The ICC’s next steps will determine whether the charges against Duterte will proceed to a full trial, a decision that continues to spark debates both in the Philippines and internationally.
