THE Philippine Truth Commission has welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ruling that former president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for crimes against humanity, saying the decision clears the way for long-awaited proceedings over his administration’s war on drugs.
In a statement over the weekend, the independent body said the ruling removes a major obstacle to the trial, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30.
“The court’s decision removes the last major obstacle to a trial that the families of those killed during Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘drug war’ have waited years to see,” said Carlos Conde, the commission’s commissioner and spokesman.
On Oct. 8, ICC Trial Chamber III made public its Sept. 28 decision, finding Duterte fit to stand trial.
The ruling followed an assessment of his capacity to understand the proceedings and participate in his defense.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, 2025, and surrendered to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, where he remains in detention.
The case against him concerns alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign, including killings allegedly committed from November 2011 to March 2019, covering his terms as Davao City mayor and president.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Duterte in connection with the investigation into alleged killings during the drug war.
His administration’s anti-drug campaign drew widespread criticism from human rights groups over allegations of extrajudicial killings, while Philippine authorities maintained that police operations targeted suspected drug offenders.
Conde said an independent panel of experts unanimously found that Duterte understands the proceedings against him and can assist his lawyers in preparing his defense.
He said the decision allows the case to proceed to a trial.
The commission, chaired by former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan, was established by church and civic leaders in May to document human rights violations during Duterte’s drug war, honor victims and provide their families with a forum for closure.
