Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is currently facing a hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity associated with his controversial drug war. He is accused of complicity in at least 78 murders linked to this campaign during his presidency, a period marked by widespread violence and significant human rights abuses. Today, the ICC judges will assess whether the prosecution's claims are sufficiently substantiated to proceed formally with the case, as Duterte continues to deny all charges and labels them as false accusations.

Duterte, now 80 years old, has not attended the hearing for unspecified health reasons, which is considered a normal occurrence in such proceedings. Since his arrest in March of the previous year, he has become the first head of state to be indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity. Human rights organizations have reported that the death toll from his drug war could be as high as 30,000, raising significant international concern and condemnation.

This case highlights ongoing issues related to accountability for human rights violations in the Philippines and brings to the forefront the implications of Duterte's policies on global justice. The hearing today is crucial as it may pave the way for a formal trial if the judges find enough evidence against him, which could lead to further scrutiny of his administration's actions and policies during his tenure in office.