Former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared before an International Criminal Court trial chamber on Wednesday, marking his first appearance before the panel handling the trial phase of the crimes against humanity case linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Duterte had earlier appeared before an ICC pre-trial chamber in March 2025 following his surrender to the court.
Duterte, wearing a black suit and white shirt, attended the third status conference before Trial Chamber III in The Hague.
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner acknowledged Duterte’s presence and told his lead counsel, Peter Haynes, that the former president could leave the courtroom at any time without seeking permission.
During the hearing, Korner asked prosecutors to examine whether they could reduce their witness list and streamline the roughly 15,000 items of evidence they intend to present, citing the need to complete the proceedings as efficiently as possible.
ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls said prosecutors currently estimate they would need about 193 hours to present their case but would look for opportunities to shorten the proceedings.
Among the evidence prosecutors intend to present are data sets concerning the number of suspects killed during police operations connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The trial chamber is expected to address outstanding issues involving witnesses and evidence at its next status conference.
Korner said the chamber plans to conduct trial hearings beginning Nov. 30 until the Christmas recess, before resuming proceedings from January through March.
Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 2025 after an arrest warrant was issued over alleged crimes against humanity. The ICC has said its Philippines investigation covers alleged crimes committed during the period when the country was still bound by the Rome Statute.
