Rodrigo Duterte has refused to attend the opening of a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Monday, February 23, 2026, related to allegations of crimes against humanity committed during his presidency’s “war on drugs,” according to statements released by his legal counsel.
The ICC investigation focuses on the period between July 1, 2016, and March 16, 2019, during which thousands of deaths occurred in the Philippines as a result of extrajudicial killings linked to the anti-drug campaign. Amnesty International has concluded that these killings constituted widespread and systematic human rights violations, reaching the threshold of crimes against humanity.
Duterte, who served as President of the Philippines from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022, initiated the “war on drugs” with a promise to eradicate the drug menace. The campaign, even as reportedly reducing the proliferation of illegal drugs, was characterized by a brutal crackdown that primarily targeted individuals from poor and marginalized communities.
In March 2025, Duterte was arrested by the Philippine government and surrendered to the ICC to face charges of murder as a crime against humanity. The Philippine government, under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., had previously withdrawn from the ICC, but the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member.
The ICC’s confirmation of charges against Duterte marks a significant development in the pursuit of accountability for the alleged atrocities committed during his administration. The pre-trial hearing is intended to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial.
Despite the ongoing proceedings, killings related to the “war on drugs” continue to be reported in the Philippines, though at a reduced rate under the current administration. Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez is the current head of the Philippine National Police, having assumed the position in 2025, following Police General Nicolas Torre and Police General Rommel Marbil.
The ICC prosecutor’s office has not yet released a statement regarding Duterte’s refusal to attend the hearing, and it remains unclear how the court will proceed in his absence. The next scheduled step in the process is a hearing to determine the scope of evidence to be presented at trial.
