THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court (ICC) concluded the fourth and final day of the confirmation of charges hearing on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign. The hearing, held before International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber I, ran from February 23 to February 27, 2026 and marks a pivotal stage in determining whether the case should proceed to a full trial.
During the final day, both the prosecution and defense presented their closing statements. The Office of the Prosecutor urged judges to confirm the charges, arguing there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte’s policies and rhetoric enabled widespread and systematic violence during his time as mayor and president. Prosecutors and victims’ counsel also recommended that Duterte’s detention continue, noting his history of waiving attendance at the proceedings and rejecting the ICC’s jurisdiction.
In contrast, Duterte’s defense team insisted that prosecutors failed to present direct evidence linking the former leader to specific killings, arguing that no witness would testify that Duterte personally ordered any executions. They stressed that his speeches and public rhetoric do not satisfy the legal threshold for confirming charges at this stage.
Duterte did not appear at the hearing in person or by video, having again waived his right to attend, a decision the court permitted in light of his stated health concerns and legal strategy.
With the hearing now complete, the judges will deliberate and have up to 60 days to issue a written decision on whether to confirm one or more of the charges and refer the case to trial, confirm some and dismiss others, or decline to confirm the charges, potentially ending the pre-trial stage. Should the court confirm charges, the case would move to a formal trial phase before a different chamber of the ICC.
The hearing’s conclusion draws intense international attention as the world awaits the court’s determination on whether Duterte will face trial on the grave accusations stemming from his “war on drugs.
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