The International Criminal Court ruled on January 27 that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s controversial war on drugs. The decision followed a medical and legal review requested by defense lawyers, who had raised concerns about Duterte’s health and ability to participate in proceedings.
Judges said medical assessments showed Duterte was mentally competent and physically capable of understanding the charges and engaging with the court process. The ruling clears the way for the case to proceed to its next procedural stages, including confirmation of charges and further hearings.
Prosecutors allege that thousands of people were unlawfully killed during anti drug operations carried out between 2016 and 2019, when Duterte was in office. Human rights groups say many victims were urban poor civilians, while Philippine authorities have consistently denied systematic wrongdoing, arguing police acted in self defense.
The Duterte camp has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, noting that the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019. However, the ICC has ruled it retains authority over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
The decision was welcomed by international human rights organizations, which described it as a step toward accountability for victims and their families. Supporters of Duterte criticized the ruling as politically motivated, underscoring the deep divisions surrounding the case both domestically and internationally.
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