THE HAGUE, Netherlands — In a landmark judicial determination, the International Criminal Court has declared former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte medically competent to stand trial, clearing the way for proceedings regarding alleged crimes against humanity committed during his controversial drug war campaign.
The ICC’s pretrial chamber reached this conclusion following comprehensive medical evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of specialists in geriatric neurology and psychiatry. The court conducted extensive cognitive testing alongside physical and mental examinations to assess the 80-year-old former leader’s capacity to participate in legal proceedings.
Duterte’s defense team had previously secured a postponement of the September hearing by raising concerns about his deteriorating health while in detention at the court’s facilities. His attorneys argued that his frail condition would prevent meaningful participation in the complex legal process.
However, after reviewing the medical panel’s assessment, judges determined that Duterte retains sufficient capability to exercise his procedural rights effectively. This ruling paves the way for the court to address the substantive allegations that Duterte authorized and instructed the commission of violent acts, including murder, against alleged drug dealers and users during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines.
The case represents a significant test of international justice mechanisms, particularly after Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2018—a move rights activists characterize as an attempt to evade accountability. The court has previously rejected defense arguments that the Philippines’ withdrawal negates ICC jurisdiction, asserting that nations cannot abuse withdrawal procedures to shield individuals from justice for crimes already under consideration.
Human rights organizations and victims’ families have welcomed both Duterte’s arrest in March and the recent fitness ruling. Advocacy groups SENTRO and CATW-AP issued a joint statement proclaiming the decision “a resounding victory for justice and accountability” that reaffirms “no one, not even a former head of state, is above the law.”
The death toll from Duterte’s anti-drug campaign remains contested, with official police figures reporting over 6,000 deaths while human rights organizations estimate casualties may have reached as high as 30,000 during his presidential term from 2016 to 2022.