September 17, 2026 | 07:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided on Wednesday, September 16, to keep former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in custody in The Hague, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
As quoted by ANTARA, Duterte appeared in person before the ICC in The Hague for the first time since he was referred to the court last year.
The panel of judges referred to several recent developments, including the trial scheduled to start on November 30, the court-appointed medical expert's report regarding Duterte's fitness to stand trial, and the prosecution's submission of evidence and trial summary documents. These developments increase the likelihood that Duterte will face trial.
If found guilty, he faces the risk of a severe sentence, which further increases the likelihood that he might "flee and/or obstruct or jeopardize the investigation or judicial proceedings," according to the five-page ruling.
Eighty-one-year-old Duterte attended a hearing before ICC Trial Chamber III to discuss preparations for the upcoming trial and his health and ability to participate in the proceedings.
Duterte's lawyers argued that a decline in cognitive ability has affected his fitness to stand trial. "As regards the fitness issue, (although a decision of the Chamber is currently pending), the Chamber finds that the Panel’s Reports do not contain any information that warrants a modification of the Accused’s detention," stated the Panel of Judges.
The panel of judges added that the defense team's response regarding Duterte "did not provide any information constituting new facts or a change in circumstances."
The former president appeared via video link at the initial hearing in March 2025. He subsequently missed several hearings, citing health reasons conveyed by his defense team.
Duterte faces three charges of crimes against humanity linked to killings during the anti-drug campaign he led between 2011 and 2019, spanning his tenure as mayor of Davao City and subsequently as president of the Philippines.
The trial is scheduled to begin on November 30, when the charges will be read in open court. Court records indicate that the prosecution has continued to submit evidence and documents related to the proceedings over the past few weeks as preparations for the trial move forward.
Duterte has been held at the ICC detention facility in The Hague since March 2025, following his arrest in Manila and transfer to the Netherlands.
Read: Duterte Makes First Appearance Before ICC Judges
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