Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

Harlene Delgado

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17769362455731776936242916.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"></span></span></span></div><p>A protester holds a life-size cartboard cutouts of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on February 23, 2026. Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File </p><div> </div><p>MANILA<strong> (3rd UPDATE) </strong>— Former president Rodrigo Duterte will face trial before the International Criminal Court after judges confirmed crimes against humanity charges tied to his war on drugs.</p><p>The Hague-based tribunal said its ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I “unanimously confirmed all the charges” against Duterte and “committed him to trial”, based on arguments and evidence presented during 4-day hearings in February.</p><p>It added that pre-trial judges concluded that &quot;there are substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder&quot; between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019, covering Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor and later as president.</p><p>“These crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population,” it added.</p><p>The 81-year-old will be the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the world&#x27;s worst crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.</p><p>“Next steps: Upon the transfer of the case to a Trial Chamber, the Trial Chamber will decide on the next steps. Trials at the ICC are fair and impartial, and the Defence will have sufficient time to prepare its case, while respecting the rights of victims,” the ICC said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/22/kaufman-icc-jurisdiction-decision-on-big-catch-duterte-was-expected-2151">Kaufman: ICC jurisdiction decision on ‘big catch’ Duterte was expected</a></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/ABYh9vcT0Lw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>DEFENSE: CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES NOT ASSESSED</strong></div><p>In a statement, Duterte&#x27;s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman lamented how the credibility of the witnesses was never assessed at confirmation.</p><p>&quot;The Pre Trial Chamber found that the crucial word ‘neutralise’, used to define a so-called State or organisational policy, was understood by those involved in the operations to mean to ‘kill’. This is hardly surprising when the whole of the Prosecution’s case, as pasted into the concluding paragraphs of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision, is based on the uncorroborated statements of vicious self-confessed murderers acting as cooperating witnesses,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;The credibility of these witnesses was never assessed at confirmation. They will now be excused prosecution and will most likely be rehoused with new identities at considerable cost to the international community funding the activities of the Office of the Prosecutor,&quot; Kaufman added.</p><p>He also said that the Defense will prove that the so-called &quot;state policy&quot; is a &quot;complete fiction&quot;.</p><p>&quot;At trial, the Defence will prove that the aforementioned “State policy” is a complete fiction. The Defence will also show that the evidence of very same criminal witnesses, so gleefully peddled by the former President’s many detractors, has zero weight”,&quot; Kaufman said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>MALACAÑANG RESPECTS ICC DECISION</strong></div><p>Malacañang respects the decision of the International Criminal Court after its Pre Trial Chamber I confirmed all the charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte in relation to his war on drugs. </p><p>This means, the Duterte patriarch will face trial before the international tribunal.</p><p>“We respect the ruling of ICC that confirms all charges of crimes against humanity against the former President Duterte. Hustisya ang kailangan[g] makuha sa mga kasong ito,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement Thursday, April 23.</p><p>The Palace official believes this will benefit both Duterte and the drug war victims in attaining justice.</p><p>“Parehong partido ang makikinabang rito. Hustisya para sa akusado kung walang sala o hustisya rin sa mga biktima kung naabuso naman ang kanilang karapatan,” she noted.</p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;VERY GOOD NEWS&#x27;</strong></div><p>Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network convernor Jojo Lacanilao welcomes the confirmation of charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a significant step toward justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings. </p><p>Duterte is facing three counts of murder as a crime against humanity before the ICC. </p><p>Lacanilao described the development as “very good news,” noting that recent legal efforts opposing the ICC process appear to be losing traction. </p><p>“Very good news kasi two days in a row, mukhang hindi effective ang Invictus, na tinatawag nila. So happy about this justice moves on, hinihintay namin ang pag tingkad ng araw ng hustisya na makakamit natin pagdating ng trial at maconvict na ang dating president,” Lacanilao said. </p><p>He expressed gratitude on behalf of the families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims, many of whom, he said, remain fearful but are beginning to find the courage to come forward. </p><p>“Kami ay natutuwa at nagpapasalamat para sa mga biktima ng EJK. Malaki pa ang takot nila pero ngayon kahit konti nagkakaroon nasila ng lakas na loob na harapin ang lahat ng ito. We are very happy with this development starting with kahapon sa jurisdiction issue ngayon nilabas agad ang confirmation of charges parang feeling ko tuloy tuloy na ito so maraming salamat sa mga sumusuporta po,” he said. </p><p>The lawyer also pointed to what he described as a rapid progression in the case, citing the recent resolution of jurisdictional issues followed closely by the confirmation of charges. </p><p>He added that supporters of the campaign have played a crucial role in advancing the case.</p><p>Lacanilao said efforts are ongoing to identify additional victims who may be able to submit evidence to the court. </p><p>“Hopefully we can still find some victims na puwedeng i-submit, ngayon titingnan natin kung papaano makakatulong pa sa pagkalap ng ebidensya kasi kahapon maraming pinasabog pa sa house of representatives hinggil sa mga drug lord na nagco-contribute sabi nila allegedly sa dating president. Things are looking good hopefully magco-consolidate pa rin ang mga victims at tutulong pa rin kayo sa paglabas ng hustisya at makamit na nating lahat ito,” he said.</p><p>He further emphasized that accountability should extend beyond Duterte, urging the ICC to also investigate the former President&#x27;s so called co-conspirators. </p><p>“Tandaan natin marami pa pong co-conspirators sana magkaroon pa ng action ang ICC sa kanila para magtuloty tuloy na po ang palapat ng hustisya para sa ating lahat,” Lacanilao added.</p><p>The announcement comes a day after the ICC threw out a challenge against its jurisdiction by Duterte&#x27;s defense team.</p><p>It is unclear whether Duterte will attend his trial.</p><p>His defense team says he is too weak mentally to follow proceedings and he did not appear at Wednesday’s reading of the decision. </p><p>The only time he has been seen since his arrest and transfer to The Hague was at an initial appearance via videolink in March 2025.</p><p>The Rome Statute, however, requires the presence of the accused during trial.</p><p>Under the Rome Statute, the Trial Chamber &quot;may remove the accused and shall make provision for him or her to observe the trial and instruct counsel from outside the courtroom, through the use of communications technology&quot; in case they disrupt the trial.</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/gMUHV-3gvao?&amp;t=9s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);--darkreader-inline-color:var(--darkreader-text-000000, #e8e6e3)" data-darkreader-inline-color=""/></div><p>That provision will be temporary and &quot;shall be taken only in exceptional circumstances after other reasonable alternatives have proved inadequate.&quot; </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/rome-statute-requires-duterte-s-presence-at-icc-trial-1757" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rome Statute requires Duterte&#x27;s presence at ICC trial</a></div><p>At the February 2026 hearings, the prosecution alleged that Duterte was responsible for thousands of deaths during his war on drugs. </p><p>His defense said there was no &quot;smoking gun&quot; directly linking Duterte&#x27;s fiery rhetoric and threats against drug users and actual murders.</p><p>Duterte&#x27;s looming trial comes as the court faces the most difficult time in its 24-year history, with the United States sanctioning key judges and officials after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israel&#x27;s leader over the Gaza war.</p>

<p>The International Criminal Court has confirmed all charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte and committed him to trial.</p>

The International Criminal Court has confirmed all charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte and committed him to trial.

Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges

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Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges

Jamaine Punzalan,

Zen Hernandez,

Harlene Delgado,

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News,

Agence France-Presse

Published April 23, 2026 04:49 PM PHT

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Updated April 23, 2026 07:30 PM PHT

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Duterte

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Duterte ICC trial

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