ICC Case Against Duterte Continues; Claims of Dismissal Due to Insufficient Evidence Debunked

International Criminal Court Case Against Duterte Continues, Despite False Dismissal Claims

The International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains active, contrary to viral social media claims suggesting it has been dismissed due to lack of evidence. The misinformation has spread rapidly online, garnering over 7,100 reactions, 2,300 comments, and 435 shares within days of being posted on January 20.

The false claim appeared shortly after the ICC renewed its call for direct witnesses to provide testimonies about the Philippines’ controversial war on drugs. The misleading post featured a composite photo of Duterte alongside ICC judges with text falsely stating, “ICC judges find no evidence linking [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] to the alleged crimes” and “Duterte case dismissed.”

Court proceedings are, in fact, moving forward. The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for February 23, following a recent development in the case. On January 26, the ICC pre-trial chamber ruled that Duterte is “able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings.” This ruling came after Duterte’s legal team had attempted to postpone proceedings, claiming the former president was unfit for trial due to a “deteriorating cognitive condition.”

Far from lacking evidence, court documents dated December 24, 2025, reveal that ICC prosecutors have compiled an extensive dossier of 1,303 pieces of evidence against Duterte. The majority of this evidence—906 items—is classified as “incriminating” and includes documentation of murders during barangay clearance operations and killings of high-value targets during Duterte’s presidential term.

According to Kristina Conti, an ICC-accredited assistant to counsel, the court’s recent call for additional witnesses represents standard procedure in the investigative process and should not be misconstrued as indicating a lack of existing evidence.

Duterte has been detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, since March 11, 2025. He faces charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration’s controversial war on drugs. Human rights organizations have estimated that the anti-drug campaign resulted in over 30,000 deaths, including children.

The case has drawn international attention as one of the most significant human rights prosecutions in recent years, focusing on alleged extrajudicial killings carried out under official government policy.

Social media reactions to the false dismissal claim reveal how misinformation continues to complicate public understanding of the case. Many Facebook users expressed relief at the supposed news, with some commenting about “welcoming” the former president back home, demonstrating the real-world impact of such falsehoods.

This is not the first instance of misinformation surrounding Duterte’s ICC case. Fact-checking organizations have previously debunked similar claims attempting to downplay or dismiss the charges against the former president.

As the case proceeds toward the February confirmation hearing, legal experts anticipate that the court will evaluate whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds to believe Duterte bears criminal responsibility for the alleged crimes—a crucial step in determining whether the case will advance to trial.

The ICC’s ongoing investigation represents a significant test of international accountability mechanisms for alleged state-sponsored human rights violations, regardless of the substantial misinformation circulating online about the case’s status.