Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague via remote video link on March 14. Facing grave murder charges related to his aggressive “war on drugs,” his virtual hearing unfolded amid a charged atmosphere both inside the courtroom and outside, where supporters and critics gathered in protest. While many of his backers questioned the legitimacy of his arrest and demanded his swift return to the Philippines, opponents called for accountability over allegations that his policies led to a systematic assault on civilians. Arriving from Manila on March 12, Duterte was promptly taken into ICC custody under an international arrest warrant. Prosecutors maintain that his campaign enabled death squads responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings, fueling an enduring debate over justice and human rights.