Duterte posts 'Everything I did, I did it for my country' after ICC appearance

Former President Rodrigo Duterte posted on Facebook stating "Everything I did, I did it for my country" after his appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday. The post featured an image of himself alongside William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus.” Duterte attended, for the first time on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the ICC status conference in his crimes against humanity case. The 81-year-old former leader was dressed in a black suit and white shirt as he sat in the courtroom, listening intently to the proceedings. The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III has unanimously decided to keep former President Rodrigo Duterte detained. This ruling means the former president will remain in The Hague. The move is part of international efforts to seek accountability for alleged actions during Duterte's presidency, particularly concerning the "war on drugs" which resulted in thousands of deaths. Domestically, the issue remains divisive, with some Filipinos supporting the pursuit of justice and the rule of law, while supporters of the former president maintain his policies were crucial for maintaining the country's security.