Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte appears before the International Criminal Court (ICC) as judges hear arguments on whether he is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes connected to a deadly narcotics crackdown. The court assesses his health and ability to participate in proceedings ahead of a trial scheduled to begin in November.
All outlets report that Duterte’s legal team argues he is not well enough for trial, citing claims of cognitive decline. Prosecutors, according to one report, respond that evidence relates to the alleged crackdown’s scale and that the case involves murders that may number in the tens of thousands. The session focuses on fitness rather than merits of the charges.
The coverage is consistent on the timing and purpose of the appearance: Duterte attends the courtroom, judges consider health-related submissions, and the outcome will affect whether the trial can proceed as planned in November.
