THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said that he has accepted his fate and acknowledged the possibility that he might die in prison, according to his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman during the closing arguments at the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges hearings.

“I was a faithful servant of the people, and that is how I wish to be remembered. I have now accepted my fate, and I realize I could die in prison,” Kaufman quoted Duterte as saying in his final remarks before the ICC judges.

The hearings, which began last week, aim to determine whether charges of murder and frustrated murder tied to Duterte’s controversial war on drugs will proceed to trial. Prosecutors have accused the former president of crimes against humanity, alleging that thousands of killings during his administration were part of a state-sanctioned campaign.

Duterte, now 80 years old, waived his right to personally appear at the hearings, maintaining in a letter to the ICC that he does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over him. He described himself as frail and asked that the tribunal respect his peace in old age.

Kaufman’s closing arguments painted Duterte as resigned to his circumstances, while also attacking the prosecution for what he described as “narrative manipulation” and selective presentation of evidence. He accused prosecutors of cherry-picking documents to shape public perception while withholding material that could favor the defense.

The ICC judges are expected to deliberate in the coming weeks on whether the charges will be confirmed, a decision that could lead to a full trial against the former Philippine leader. For now, Duterte’s own words reflect a somber acceptance of the possibility that his final years may be spent behind bars.