ICC prosecution pushes for 3 medical experts to examine Rodrigo Duterte’s fitness to stand trial

International Criminal Court prosecutors have recommended three experts specializing in forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology, and behavioral neurology to assess the fitness of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s fitness to stand trial for his alleged crimes against humanity in his deadly war on illegal drugs.

This development appeared in the public redacted version of “Prosecution’s Observations on the ‘Registry Submission of a Shortlist of Medical Experts” on September 18, 2025.

The nine-page document from the Office of the Prosecutor was released by the ICC on October 9 and signed by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.

“The Prosecution supports the appointment of a multidisciplinary panel of experts for the assessment of Mr Duterte’s fitness to stand trial and suggests that it should consist of at least three experts in the fields of forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology, and behavioural neurology,” it said.

The three experts have expressed their availability to provide their services for September and October, according to the Prosecution.

The document also revealed that the Prosecution opposed a potential expert presented by the Defence, citing her appointment could raise issues of “potential bias”. 

TIMELINE: Legal battle at ICC over Duterte's drug war

Earlier, the medical officer of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was deemed not authorized to assess Duterte's fitness for trial, the tribunal's Registry said in a recently published document. 

Duterte is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison on charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his administration’s drug war, which killed over 6,000 drug suspects in police operations per government records.

However, human rights organizations estimate the death toll may have reached 30,000 due to unreported incidents. 

Duterte has denied the allegations against him. —RF, GMA Integrated News