The International Criminal Court (ICC) orders another medical assessment of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to determine whether he is fit to stand trial. The court’s decision comes as ICC pre-trial proceedings are scheduled to begin in November. This is the second time the ICC requires such a health check for Duterte. The ICC previously ordered an assessment earlier in the case after the pre-trial chamber reviewed his situation and ruled on the matter in January, according to reporting. Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, faces ICC charges related to crimes against humanity connected to his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which prosecutors say resulted in thousands of deaths. The court’s latest order focuses on determining fitness to participate in the proceedings, rather than on the merits of the allegations. No final determination of his fitness is reported yet; the assessment is expected to inform the court’s next steps in the lead-up to the November start date.