ICC declares Duterte competent to face trial on crimes charges

The International Criminal Court's medical assessment has cleared former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to face trial on allegations of crimes against humanity, clearing a procedural hurdle ahead of the scheduled start date.

Duterte, 81, had undergone evaluation by ICC physicians to determine his fitness to participate in legal proceedings. The court's determination that he is competent to stand trial removes one potential obstacle to the commencement of hearings set for November 30.

The former leader, who served as Philippine president from 2016 to 2022, has been under ICC scrutiny over his administration's anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Human rights groups have long documented concerns about extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out during that period.

The trial's commencement represents a significant development in the ICC's investigation into the matter. Duterte has previously dismissed the court's jurisdiction and questioned its authority to investigate Philippine nationals, though his legal team is expected to mount a formal defence during proceedings.

The November 30 start date marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a lengthy legal process, with the court expected to examine evidence and hear testimony from multiple witnesses regarding the allegations.