Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, was arrested under ICC orders for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug policies. Despite officially recorded deaths of around 6,000, human rights groups believe the true number exceeds 20,000. The ICC continues its investigation to ensure accountability for widespread violence during Duterte’s administration.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, was arrested on Tuesday upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport after attending a political rally in Hong Kong. The arrest was executed by Interpol, following directives from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating numerous killings during Duterte’s notorious anti-narcotics campaign.
The ICC alleges that Duterte committed crimes against humanity between 2011 and 2019, particularly while he was mayor of Davao and during his presidency. Notably, he withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute, which critics interpret as an attempt to evade accountability for his actions.
Officially, around 6,000 deaths are attributed to Duterte’s “war on drugs,” but human rights organizations assert that the actual number could exceed 20,000. In late 2021, the Duterte administration sought to halt the ICC’s investigation, claiming that Filipino authorities were already handling the inquiries, thereby contesting the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Following appeals from ICC judges that allowed the investigation to proceed, the current Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos has signaled intent to cooperate in delivering Duterte for prosecution. During a rally in Hong Kong, Duterte defended his violent anti-drug policies, stating, “Why did I do it? For you and your children, and for our nation.” He expressed acceptance of arrest, affirming his commitment to peace for Filipinos.
Duterte has been defiant against the ICC, previously stating that the court does not intimidate him. He urged the ICC to expedite hearings last year, suggesting that if his fate leads to imprisonment, he would accept the consequences, declaring, “If I’m found guilty, I can go to prison and rot there for all time.”
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, functions as a supplementary judiciary for severe international crimes, including genocide and war crimes, when local jurisdictions fail to take action.
Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into his administration’s anti-drug policies, which are under scrutiny for alleged crimes against humanity. Despite official death tolls, human rights advocates claim far higher casualties. The ICC’s pursuit of justice emphasizes the necessity for accountability for international crimes, particularly given Duterte’s controversial withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
