ICC Schedules Duterte's Crimes Against Humanity Trial for November

The International Criminal Court has announced that the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity will commence on November 30. Charges against Duterte include oversight of fatal anti-drug campaigns during his terms as mayor of Davao and president.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner emphasized the necessity for a swift trial process, dismissing the court registry's request to delay due to this concern. Duterte was detained in the Philippines in the previous year and taken to The Hague. He refutes all accusations.

Korner instructed court staff to guarantee language interpretation services for Philippine languages such as Tagalog, alongside the court's official languages English and French. Estimates for the death toll from Duterte's presidency span from over 6,000 according to police, to as many as 30,000 from human rights organizations.

Duterte has opted out from attending any hearings, having previously been deemed fit for trial following concerns about his health. In a related development, the court has also recently unsealed an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, Duterte's former national police chief.

(With inputs from agencies.)