Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was reportedly “abducted” prior to his transfer to The Hague, where he faces murder charges, and is currently too unwell to provide testimony, according to his attorney during his initial court appearance on Friday.
Duterte, who was flown to the Netherlands from Manila on Wednesday after being apprehended under an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity, appeared frail as he participated via video link from a detention facility, confirming his identity and date of birth for the judges.
Defense lawyer Salvador Medialdea stated that Duterte’s health condition prevented him from elaborating further, characterizing his arrest and subsequent transfer to the Netherlands as “pure and simple kidnapping,” and noted that his client is experiencing “debilitating” health issues.
Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter and the current vice president of the Philippines, observed the proceedings from the public gallery.
Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc remarked that the court-appointed physician, who assessed Duterte upon his arrival, concluded that he was “fully mentally aware and fit.”
She noted that Duterte and his legal team may address concerns regarding his court transfer and health at a later point in the legal process.
Prosecutors have charged the 79-year-old with orchestrating a systematic assault on civilians during his presidency.
During a controversial anti-drug campaign, thousands of alleged drug dealers and users were killed, with death squads that he is accused of forming and equipping carrying out extensive extrajudicial executions.
“This marks the initial step toward justice for us, the victims of the war on drugs,” stated Gilbert Andres, the attorney representing families of those killed in drug-related incidents in the Philippines, outside the courtroom.
Duterte arrived at Rotterdam airport on a chartered flight on Wednesday and was subsequently taken to a detention facility along the Dutch coast, not far from the ICC building. In a video shared on social media, he acknowledged his accountability for his actions.
During the initial court appearance, the judge outlined the charges against Duterte, who was not required to enter a plea at that time.
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Having served as the President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, Duterte is poised to become the first former Asian head of state to stand trial at the ICC, an institution established over twenty years ago to hold individuals accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression, and genocide.
Duterte has reported suffering from various health issues, including a chronic neuromuscular disorder, back pain, migraines, and a condition that may lead to blood vessel blockages.
His surrender to the court represents a significant achievement for Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is currently facing U.S. sanctions related to his arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the judges scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for September 23, during which prosecutors will present some of their evidence, and the judges will determine which charges will be included in the indictment. A trial is not anticipated to commence until early 2026.
