Amnesty International on Friday called former Philippines President Rodrigo Rua Duterte’s appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) a “symbolic moment” for the families of those killed during his administration’s “war on drugs.”

Amnesty International’s Southeast Asia researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard stated:

Rodrigo Duterte’s appearance at the International Criminal Court is a sight families of the thousands of victims of the ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines feared they would never see. Today shows that those accused of committing the worst crimes may one day face their day in court, regardless of their position.

Chhoa-Howard further underscored the crucial role of the ICC in delivering accountability, saying it was a “day of hope for families of victims and human rights defenders who have for years fought tirelessly for justice despite grave risks to their lives and safety.”

Duterte’s first appearance at the ICC comes nearly six years after the Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC and determined its jurisdiction. Despite this withdrawal, the ICC retained jurisdiction over the alleged crimes committed by Duterte from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, when he served as the mayor of Davao City and later as president.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 in Manila upon returning from Hong Kong following a warrant issued by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber. He now faces the charge of murder as a crime against humanity. The chamber initially authorized an investigation into possible crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings, reportedly committed in the context of Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign. While the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC took effect on March 17, 2019, the court has been collecting evidence on alleged crimes committed while the country was still a state party.

Prosecutors allege that Duterte played a crucial role in orchestrating, encouraging, and enabling the killings of thousands of suspected drug offenders. Court documents also referenced his time as head of the so-called “Davao Death Squad,” an alleged vigilante group accused of extrajudicial executions when Duterte was the mayor of Davao City.

During his initial appearance via video link, the ICC ensured that Duterte was informed of the murder charges against him and of his rights under the Rome Statute. Duterte’s lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, stated that Duterte was too unwell to provide further comment, asserting that his arrest and transfer to the Netherlands amounted to “pure and simple kidnapping” and that his client was experiencing “debilitating” medical conditions.

In response, Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc noted that the court doctor who assessed Duterte upon his arrival determined that Duterte was “fully mentally aware and fit.” She further clarified that Duterte and his legal team would have the opportunity to raise concerns regarding his transfer and health at a later stage in the proceedings. The ICC has provisionally scheduled the hearing on the confirmation of charges to begin on September 23, 2025.