A file photo of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: VCG)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday confirmed all three counts of "crimes against humanity" against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and committed him to trial.

The court said in a statement that there are "substantial grounds" to believe that the over-80-year-old Duterte is responsible for "the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder."

The ICC said the decision was based on the evidence and arguments presented by the Prosecutor and the Defence during the confirmation of charges hearing from Feb. 23 to 27, 2026, as well as on the submissions and documents of the parties and participants.

Following the transfer of the case to an ICC Trial Chamber, the Chamber will determine the next steps, the ICC said.

The court on Wednesday declared its jurisdiction over the case and rejected the defense's request for Duterte's immediate and unconditional release. Philippine Senator Imee Marcos criticized the ruling, saying that it "disregards the Philippines' sovereign withdrawal from the Rome Statute."

"Justice must be pursued in a manner consistent with our Constitution, our laws, and the integrity of our own judicial processes," she said in a statement on Wednesday.

Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He was arrested and transferred to ICC custody in March 2025 under a warrant linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign, a move he has challenged. His initial appearance before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I took place on March 14, 2025, and on Nov. 28, 2025, the court rejected an appeal seeking his release on grounds of age and declining health.