THE HAGUE, Netherlands — April 23, 2026 — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed all charges of crimes against humanity against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, committing him to trial in The Hague.

The ruling, issued on April 23, 2026, by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, marks a historic moment as Duterte becomes the first Asian head of state to face trial before the ICC.

The three-judge panel found “substantial grounds to believe” that Duterte was criminally responsible for widespread killings linked to his anti-drug campaign. The confirmed charges include three counts of crimes against humanity, covering incidents of murder and attempted murder between November 2011 and March 2019, spanning his tenure as Davao City mayor and as president.

Prosecutors argued that Duterte was at the “apex” of a state-sanctioned killing machine, directing and enabling attacks that left dozens dead. The chamber confirmed at least 49 incidents involving 78 victims, while noting that the list was non-exhaustive and the scale of killings may be broader.

The ruling means the case will now move to a Trial Chamber, composed of three different judges, where proceedings are expected to begin within six months to a year and a half. At trial, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, a higher threshold than the “substantial grounds” standard used at the pre-trial stage.

Duterte, who has been detained in The Hague since March 2025, waived his right to appear during the reading of the judgment. His defense team may request authorization to appeal, but the confirmation of charges is not automatically appealable.

Human rights advocates hailed the decision as a major victory for victims of the drug war, many of whom have long sought accountability for extrajudicial killings. The ICC emphasized that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 does not erase responsibility for crimes already under investigation.

The trial of Duterte is expected to be one of the most closely watched proceedings in ICC history, with significant implications for international justice and accountability in Southeast Asia.