Duterte Ordered to Appear in Person at ICC Fitness Hearing

Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appear in person at the International Criminal Court on September 16, 2026, for the first time since his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March 2025. The 81-year-old former Philippine president has been held at Scheveningen prison. The hearing will examine whether he is fit to stand trial on crimes against humanity charges linked to alleged killings during his anti-drug campaign. Trial proceedings are scheduled to begin in November. Duterte's lawyers have cited cognitive decline and health concerns to argue he is unfit. ICC judges determined in January that his health was sufficient to participate in the proceedings and ordered an in-person appearance rather than video. The alleged killings occurred between 2011 and 2019. Police records show about 6,200 deaths, while prosecutors and rights groups cite estimates as high as 30,000. Duterte denies wrongdoing and says police acted in self-defense.