Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial, rejecting defense claims that his age and health prevent him from participating effectively in proceedings.
The decision clears the way for a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23 at the court in The Hague, where Duterte has been held since his arrest in March.
Duterte, 80, faces allegations of crimes against humanity linked to killings carried out during his long-running campaign against illegal drugs.
The ruling follows months of legal debate after earlier hearings were postponed to allow for medical assessments of his condition.
The judges based their decision on evaluations by independent medical experts, including specialists in geriatric neurology and psychiatry.
According to the court, the panel concluded that Duterte is able to understand the proceedings and communicate with his lawyers.
In its statement, the court said, “the Chamber was satisfied that Mr Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights.”
Judges emphasized that legal fitness requires only a broad understanding of proceedings rather than peak cognitive performance.
International courts rarely find defendants unfit to stand trial, and the ICC has never declared a suspect wholly unable to participate in proceedings.
Duterte’s defense team had argued that he was experiencing cognitive decline and deteriorating health while in detention.
His lead lawyer, Nick Kaufman, said he was disappointed with the ruling and indicated the defense would seek to appeal, citing limits placed on presenting its own medical evidence.
Prosecutors allege that Duterte created, funded, and armed death squads responsible for killings of suspected drug dealers and users.
The accusations cover actions taken while he served as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022.
ICC prosecutors are seeking confirmation of multiple murder counts as crimes against humanity, involving more than 75 victims.
Under ICC procedures, judges must confirm the charges before the case can proceed to a full trial.
Estimates of deaths linked to the drug war vary widely, with police reporting more than 6,000 fatalities and human rights groups estimating up to 30,000.
Families of victims and rights organizations have welcomed both Duterte’s arrest and the court’s latest ruling as steps toward accountability.
Duterte has consistently defended the crackdown, maintaining that police were instructed to kill only in self-defense and denying responsibility for unlawful killings.