Fri Oct 24 06:46:51 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article written from it:

Summary:

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to its jurisdiction in the case against him, where he is accused of crimes against humanity related to killings during his “war on drugs.” Duterte’s lawyers argued the ICC lacked authority because the Philippines withdrew from the court before the investigation formally began. The ICC judges countered that countries cannot use withdrawal to shield individuals from justice for alleged crimes already under consideration. Duterte’s lawyers plan to appeal. There are concerns about his health and he has been ordered to remain in detention due to flight risk. The ICC investigation pertains to killings overseen by Duterte during his time as Mayor of Davao and as President, with death toll estimates ranging from 6,000 to 30,000.

News Article:

ICC Rejects Duterte’s Challenge, Court Case Regarding ‘War on Drugs’ Killings to Proceed

The Hague, October 24, 2025 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that it has jurisdiction to proceed with its case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, despite his attempts to halt the proceedings. Duterte, 80, faces charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his alleged involvement in mass killings during his controversial “war on drugs” while in office.

Duterte’s defense team argued that the ICC lacked jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. They claimed that because the withdrawal occurred before the formal opening of the ICC’s investigation, the court had no authority to continue.

However, a pre-trial panel of ICC judges dismissed this argument. The court stated that countries cannot “abuse” their right to withdraw from the Rome Statute “by shielding persons from justice in relation to alleged crimes that are already under consideration.”

The ICC’s investigation, formally opened in 2021, focuses on killings that occurred during Duterte’s time as both Mayor of Davao and President of the Philippines. Estimates of the death toll in the government’s anti-drug operations range from over 6,000, as reported by the Philippine National Police, to as high as 30,000 according to human rights organizations.

“We anticipated this decision and will appeal it,” said Nick Kauffman, Duterte’s lead lawyer.

Adding to the complexity of the case, the ICC postponed a pretrial hearing last month due to concerns about Duterte’s health. His lawyers have requested an indefinite delay, claiming he is “not fit to stand trial.” The court has also ordered Duterte to remain in detention, citing a risk of flight. Duterte was arrested in March of this year.

Duterte denies the charges against him. The ICC investigation marks a significant step towards accountability for the alleged atrocities committed during his administration’s “war on drugs.” The legal battle is expected to continue for some time.

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