A trial chamber of the International Criminal Court will review former President Rodrigo Duterte's continued detention in The Hague. It has requested observations from the prosecution, defense, and victims' lawyers. This marks the first such review at the trial stage of his crimes against humanity case.
The Trial Chamber (TC) III of the International Criminal Court issued a four-page order dated May 1, 2026, directing parties to submit observations on former President Rodrigo Duterte's detention at the Scheveningen prison complex or any motion for his temporary release.
It noted the need to assess whether circumstances of his detention have changed. Duterte has been detained since his arrest in March last year, charged with murder as a crime against humanity for his alleged role in the brutal anti-drug crackdown that resulted in thousands of killings in police operations.
At the pretrial stage, Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled in January that no change in circumstances warranted temporary release, as Duterte continued to pose risks to witnesses and victims. Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, recognized by the ICC, told the Inquirer that the review responsibility has shifted from PTC I to TC III.
The issue may be addressed or ruled on at the first status conference on May 27. TC III also requested documentary evidence, recorded testimonies, witness protection measures, additional witnesses, and other pre-trial materials due by May 15 to prepare for the trial proper.
