The International Criminal Court (ICC) has set November 30, 2026, as the start date for the trial of former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his deadly “war on drugs”.
In a statement on 27 May 2026, Trial Chamber III confirmed the schedule following a status conference involving the prosecution, defence, and legal representatives of victims.
The Chamber said it had considered “the necessary time for the disclosure of evidence and other materials” and would resolve outstanding issues before proceedings begin. The bench is composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek and Judge Nicolas Guillou.
Duterte, 81, is accused of three counts of crimes against humanity involving murder, torture and rape. Prosecutors also allege his responsibility for at least 76 murders, part of a broader campaign that human rights groups say left tens of thousands dead between 2011 and 2019.
The alleged crimes span his years as mayor of Davao and later as president of the Philippines, where he built his political identity around a hardline anti-drug campaign.
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The case has moved through the ICC’s pre-trial stages. Following a request by the Office of the Prosecutor, an arrest warrant was issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I on March 7, 2025, as “Secret”, later reclassified as public on March 11, 2025. Duterte was surrendered to the ICC on March 12, 2025, and made his initial appearance on March 14, 2025.
A confirmation of charges hearing was held from February 23-27, 2026, after which judges unanimously confirmed all three counts of crimes against humanity and committed him to trial. On April 24, 2026, the ICC Presidency formally constituted Trial Chamber III to handle the case.
Prosecutors argue that Duterte acted as an “indirect co-perpetrator”, using police and hired killers to “neutralise” suspected drug offenders. Former ICC prosecutor Julian Nicholls said during hearings: “Decades of murdering his own people, murdering the children of the Philippines, and he claims that he did it all for his country. He doesn’t deny it.”
Duterte has denied all allegations, calling them “an outrageous lie”, and has refused to recognise the court’s authority. His lawyers have also argued he is unfit to stand trial due to cognitive decline, though judges have ruled he can participate with adjustments.
He has previously said he did not recognise the ICC, stating in a video during his transfer to The Hague: “What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?”
If convicted, Duterte faces life imprisonment.
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