Duterte makes another in-person ICC appearance

Screenshot from ICC livestreamMANILA (UPDATED) — Former president Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday appeared in person at the International Criminal Court for the second time in as many months, as he faces charges over his “war on drugs”. 

During a “status conference” for the parties and the judge to fix logistical details, Duterte sat behind his defense team and monitored the start of the proceedings with a headset.  

He wore a black jacket and occasionally adjusted his headset as he listened to the proceedings.

During the status conference, the ICC Trial Chamber III proposed a daily sitting schedule for the first week of the former president’s trial, while his defense asked judges to set breaks in the trial calendar to allow him visit from his family or speak with them over the phone.

Under the proposed schedule, hearings will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a 30-minute break; from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., after a one-hour lunch break; and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., after another 30-minute break.

Duterte, 81, had appeared by video link when he was first brought to the court in The Hague and skipped hearings, before appearing at the third status conference of his case in September.

He is the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC, which prosecutes individuals for the world’s worst crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his offensive against drug users and sellers.

The ICC has set November 30 as the start date of the trial, which could take months or even years.