ICC grants Duterte request to skip Feb. 27 detention review hearing

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s request to waive his appearance at a February 27, 2026 detention review hearing in The Hague, according to developments in the court’s pre-trial proceedings.

The hearing forms part of the ICC’s confirmation-of-charges process in a case alleging crimes against humanity in connection with killings linked to the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign during Duterte’s presidency.

What the ICC decided

ICC judges approved a defense request allowing Duterte to be absent from the scheduled detention review hearing. The waiver applies to his physical presence during the February 27 proceedings under the court’s procedural rules.

Who is involved

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, is the accused in the ICC case. The proceedings are being handled by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber and the Office of the Prosecutor, with Duterte represented by defense counsel.

What happened and when

The February 27 hearing concerns a review of Duterte’s detention status. It takes place alongside confirmation-of-charges hearings, during which judges assess whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Where the proceedings are taking place

The hearings are being conducted at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

Why it matters

The confirmation-of-charges stage determines whether the case advances to trial. At this phase, the ICC is not ruling on guilt or innocence but evaluating whether the evidentiary threshold required under the Rome Statute has been met.

The detention review is procedurally significant because it addresses the accused’s custody status while pre-trial proceedings continue.

Background: the allegations and the record on deaths

ICC prosecutors allege that Duterte played a central role in killings associated with the anti-drug campaign carried out during his administration. He faces allegations of murder as crimes against humanity.

According to official Philippine National Police data previously cited more than 6,000 deaths in anti-drug operations. Human rights groups and international organizations have reported significantly higher estimates.

What happens next

Following the confirmation-of-charges hearings, ICC judges will determine whether the charges are confirmed and the case proceeds to trial. The detention review process remains subject to the court’s procedural framework.

The continuation of the proceedings adds an international legal dimension to an issue that has remained politically and institutionally significant in the Philippines since Duterte left office.