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ICC Clears Duterte for Trial Starting November 30, 2026

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 11:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The International Criminal Court cleared former President Rodrigo Duterte to stand trial.
The trial will begin on November 30, 2026, in The Hague.
Duterte faces multiple murder and attempted murder counts for the 2016-2022 nationwide war on drugs.
Human-rights groups estimate about 30,000 people were killed by death squads during the campaign.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 the UN-created ICTY indicted Serbian President Slobodan Miloševic, the first sitting head of state charged with war crimes, and his trial began in February 2002 on 66 counts before his 2006 death. The ICC’s November 30 2026 hearing of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte follows that precedent, showing UN-backed tribunals increasingly willing to try sitting leaders and challenging traditional sovereign-immunity norms.

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Story summary

The International Criminal Court cleared former President Rodrigo Duterte to stand trial.
The trial will begin on November 30, 2026, in The Hague.
Duterte faces multiple murder and attempted murder counts for the 2016-2022 nationwide war on drugs.
Human-rights groups estimate about 30,000 people were killed by death squads during the campaign.

1 / 2