Emotions run high among Duterte supporters at ICC hearing

THE HAGUE — Some supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte were teary-eyed as he waved and smiled at them before the curtains closed on the public gallery during the fourth status conference of his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday.

It was Duterte’s second physical appearance in the ICC courtroom since his arrest in March 2025. He had previously attended the September 16 status conference in person.

The public gallery was filled with Duterte supporters, representatives of human rights organizations, international media, and groups campaigning for accountability over killings during the Philippines’ war on drugs, including Duterte Panagutin Europe.

Wearing a black polo shirt, Duterte remained in the courtroom throughout the session, attentively watching the proceedings on the screens. Before the curtains closed, he waved and smiled at his supporters. Some waved back tearfully, while others continued looking through the glass separating them from the courtroom.

Among those who traveled to The Hague was Gin, a Duterte supporter who made the nine-hour journey from Germany. It was the first time she had seen Duterte in person.

“Mahal namin si Tatay Digong ko kaya andito kami. Ito lang ang pinuntahan ko dito, may trabaho ako pero special ito si Tatay Digong,” Gin said.

(We love Tatay Digong, which is why we are here. This is the only reason I came here. I have a job, but Tatay Digong is special.)

Inside the courtroom, the proceedings included a heated discussion over the prosecution’s submission of records relating to 3,400 deaths during police operations. Prosecutor Julian Nicholls cited a government report that recorded 3,967 drug personalities killed in anti-drug operations between July 2016 and November 2017. Following its review, the prosecution arrived at a figure of 3,400 deaths, which the defense disputed.

The defense questioned whether the records had been properly reviewed, while presiding Judge Joanna Korner stressed that the documents needed to be examined manually, person by person. Nicholls denied that artificial intelligence had been used to process the database, explaining that analysts had reviewed the documents under lawyers’ direction before the lawyers examined their work.

The chamber also discussed preparations for the trial, scheduled to begin on November 30. These included the time allotted for opening statements and the first block of evidence, expected in December; the prosecution’s witness list and estimated presentation time; and the time needed by the defense and the victims’ common legal representative.

Other matters included the prosecution’s evidence list, disclosure requirements, the defense’s submissions on its readiness for trial and requests for protective measures.

The conference followed an ICC ruling made public on October 8 that found Duterte fit to stand trial, clearing the way for proceedings to begin as scheduled.

Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity linked to killings allegedly committed during his anti-drug campaign. He denies the charges. — BM, GMA News