Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will face a crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court starting November 30, the presiding judge announced Wednesday.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his so-called war on drugs.
At 81, Duterte becomes the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC. Prosecutors expect to call between 60 and 70 witnesses.
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner granted the prosecution's requested start date but ordered a further fitness assessment before proceedings begin. Duterte was previously cleared for a confirmation hearing but did not appear, his defense citing declining mental sharpness.
It remains unlikely Duterte will appear in person at The Hague. He has been granted leave of absence at every hearing so far. His only public appearance since arrest was a video link where he appeared confused and fatigued.
Prosecutors allege Duterte ran a death squad first as mayor of Davao City, then as president, killing thousands of suspected drug offenders. The true death toll is believed to be in the thousands, with victims' families hoping the trial will encourage more testimonies.
The case proceeds amid intense political pressure on the ICC, including two rounds of US sanctions since June 2025. The Philippines left the ICC in 2019 on Duterte's orders, but the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes between 2011 and 2019.
Duterte maintains his innocence, his former defense lawyer calling the charges politically motivated and the evidence insufficient. Duterte remains popular in the Philippines, where many supported his tough-on-crime approach.