Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made a historic, in-person appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague this Wednesday to face charges related to his infamous "war on drugs." While the 81-year-old previously attended proceedings via videolink—often appearing frail or disoriented—this marked his first physical presence in the courtroom. Dressed in a dark suit, Duterte sat quietly as Judge Joanna Korner confirmed his attendance and granted him the flexibility to leave the proceedings as needed. The court has officially scheduled the trial to commence on November 30, a process expected to be lengthy and complex.

The legal proceedings center on three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging that Duterte orchestrated the deaths of thousands during his time as both the mayor of Davao City and the President of the Philippines. While his defense team has persistently argued that he suffers from significant memory impairment and is mentally unfit for trial—citing internal assessments suggesting he believes he is living in 2007—the court remains focused on the allegations of systemic state-sanctioned violence. Despite the severity of the charges, the former president maintains a loyal following in his home country, where many continue to support the aggressive anti-crime policies he championed during his tenure.