Dennis Gasgonia

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA- Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will remain under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if medical experts find him unfit for trial on crime against humanity charges, a lawyer said. </p><p>ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said in a Facebook post on Saturday that if the ICC judges are convinced that Duterte is unfit for trial, his case will be adjourned, but not dismissed.</p><p>&quot;He will remain in the custody of the ICC and the case will be reviewed every 120 days (four months),&quot; she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/17/icc-orders-medical-exam-on-duterte-2007"><strong>ICC orders medical exam on Duterte </strong></a> </div><p>The Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC has ordered a medical examination on Duterte to determine his fitness to participate in pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges.</p><p>The medical panel consists of a forensic psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist, and a geriatric and behavioral neurologist who will determine if Duterte is fit to participate in the pre-trial proceedings.</p><p>They will assess whether Duterte is suffering from any medical condition that could affect his participation in the ongoing pre-trial phase and the confirmation of charges. </p><p>&quot;Their report, which most likely be confidential, is due on October 31, 2025,&quot;&quot; said Conti. </p><p>&quot;If the reports convince the judges to declare him fit to stand trial, then the hearing on the confirmation of charges can be rescheduled the soonest possible.&quot; </p><p>Conti said Duterte&#x27;s fitness for trial is a particularly contentious issue &quot;because of conflicting narratives and utterly confusing messages.&quot; </p><p>&quot;On the part of the victims, we are closely monitoring the process to ensure that the rights of all parties are observed and fulfilled, and that any delaying tactic is offset,&quot; she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/icc-rejects-duterte-s-interim-release-plea-1714"><strong>ICC rejects Duterte’s interim release bid</strong></a></div><p>The ICC earlier released a public redacted version of the summary and details of the criminal charges filed against Duterte.</p><p>The “Document Containing the Charges”, submitted by the Office of the Prosecutor, provides the details of the alleged crimes and the narrative of the facts of the case, which the prosecution will use before the Pre-Trial Chamber. The DCC will also be the basis for the confirmation of charges hearing.</p><p>According to the document, the prosecution holds Duterte criminally liable for the following:</p><p>1. Murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City during the mayoral period between 2013 to 2016.</p><p>2. Murder as a crime against humanity of “high-value targets” in locations across the Philippines during the presidential period between 2016 to 2017.</p><p>3. Murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity in barangay clearance operations in locations across the Philippines during the presidential period between 2016 to 2018.The prosecution cited 49 incidents to support its charges against Duterte, with a total of 78 victims: 19 victims for count 1, 14 victims for count 2, and 45 victims for count 3.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/23/icc-office-of-the-prosecutor-releases-details-of-charges-vs-duterte-0057" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prosecutors charge Duterte with 3 counts of murder &#x27;as crime against humanity&#x27; at ICC</a></div><p>Duterte was arrested on March 11 on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC.</p><p>He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.</p><p>Duterte on March 14 appeared via video link before ICC judges. </p><p>Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.</p><p> The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has rejected the request of Duterte&#x27;s defense team for his interim release.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXBleBgGKkA??si=T8ugffvJKF_4-Cpa&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will remain under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if medical experts find him unfit for trial on crime against humanity charges, a lawyer said Saturday. </p>

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will remain under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if medical experts find him unfit for trial on crime against humanity charges, a lawyer said Saturday.

Duterte to stay in ICC custody even if found unfit for trial, lawyer says

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Duterte to stay in ICC custody even if found unfit for trial, lawyer says

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 18, 2025 05:09 PM PHT

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Updated October 18, 2025 06:41 PM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

Kristina Conti

Medical findings

Crimes against humanity

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