Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to make the first appearance of ICC | Rodrigo Duterte News

The Hague judges will inform the former president of crimes against humanity that he has been accused of having committed.

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will first appear in the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges against humanity crimes in the Hague because of his Deadly War against DrugsS

“The Chamber considers it appropriate to take the first appearance of the Duterte to take place on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 2:00 pm (13:00 GMT),” a message said in a message on Thursday.

Duterte has been accused of the crime against humanity for murder during his long -standing campaign against drug users and dealers, who have said up to 30,000 people.

The 79-year-old former leader was handed down by the Philippines in the Hague-based court on Wednesday, becoming the first of his kind Asian leader to be accused of the international tribunal.

During the hearing on Friday, Duterte will appear before the judges and will be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.

While landing in the Netherlands on Wednesday, the former leader seems to be taking responsibility for his actionsSaying in a video on Facebook: “I tell the police, the military, it's my job and I'm responsible.”

Duterte's swift arrest in Manila And the turnover of the ICC came against the backdrop of a spectacular collapse in the relationship between his family and the Marcos family, who joined his efforts in the presidential election in the Philippines in 2022 and won in a landslide.

Current President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sarah Duterte – Rodrigo's daughter – are on wooden heads, with the latter faced with an impeachment trial of charges, including a supposedly assumed killing against Marcos.

Sarah Duterte is in the Netherlands to support his father after labeling his arrest “oppression and persecution”.

Gilbert Andres, a lawyer who is victims of the drug war, said the arrest of Duterte “is a big signal for international criminal justice. This means that no one is above the law. “

Prosecutor General Karim Khan also welcomed the Dutner's arrest as a key moment for victims and international justice as a whole.

“It is important to emphasize, as we are now starting a new stage of the production that Dutter is supposed to be innocent,” Khan said.