Feb 23, 2026, 1:04 p.mFeb 23, 2026, 1:04 p.m
Almost a year after his arrest, the preliminary proceedings against the ex-president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, have opened at the International Criminal Court.
The former president was accused of crimes against humanity.Image: keystone
The prosecutors accuse the 80-year-old of crimes against humanity in the state’s “war on drugs” – in particular murder and attempted murder in 78 cases – including children from 2011 to 2019. Duterte stayed away from the hearing without giving a reason – that is permissible.
In the preliminary proceedings, the judges first examine the evidence to see whether it is sufficient to open the main proceedings. A decision is expected in May. Both supporters and opponents of Duterte demonstrated in front of the court.
“The powerful are not above the law”
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang called the start of the trial a significant signal for the people of the Philippines and international law. “It is a reminder to all those in power that they are not above the law.”
Mame Mandiaye Niang.Image: keystone
According to the indictment, Duterte not only killed people himself, first as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president, but also ordered, planned, financed and publicly justified murders. Duterte also put a bounty on suspected drug criminals or addicts.
The ex-president was arrested in March 2025 on the basis of an arrest warrant from the Criminal Court in Manila and flown to the Netherlands. He rejected the allegations as baseless.
Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Human rights organizations estimate that his relentless fight against drug-related crime cost up to 30,000 people their lives. Suspects were often outright executed without a trial. (sda/dpa)