ICC: Former President Duterte Waives Attendance as Human Rights Hearing Begins

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague confirmed today that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will not be present for his "confirmation of charges" hearing scheduled for next week. His legal team argued that the 80-year-old is suffering from cognitive decline and is unfit for the travel, despite a prior court ruling that he is medically capable of standing trial. Judges have allowed the hearing to proceed in his absence, viewing the defense's request as a procedural waiver of his rights.

This hearing, set to run from February 23 to 27, is a critical step in determining whether the case against Duterte for "crimes against humanity" will move to a full trial. Prosecutors allege that during his administration’s "war on drugs," state-sanctioned death squads were responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings. While official police records cite roughly 6,200 deaths, human rights groups and ICC investigators suggest the true toll could be as high as 30,000.

In a recent development, the ICC Registry announced that over 500 additional victims have applied to participate in the proceedings. These applicants are classified as "Group A," meaning their claims directly align with the specific timeframes and geographic areas currently under investigation. The court has maintained strict confidentiality over their identities to protect them from potential retaliation as the legal process intensifies.