Rodrigo Duterte, the former Philippine President, was arrested by Interpol under ICC orders for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign. Despite claiming governmental investigations addressed these issues, the ICC has resumed its inquiry. Duterte, steadfast in his defense of his policies, faces serious legal challenges ahead.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, was arrested at Manila’s international airport following his return from a political rally in Hong Kong. The arrest, executed by Interpol, was ordered by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been investigating the extensive deaths resulting from Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The ICC alleges that Mr. Duterte committed crimes against humanity during his tenure, specifically between 2011 and 2019. This period includes his time as the mayor of Davao and extends to the year he withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute, which critics have interpreted as an effort to evade accountability for his actions.
While approximately 6,000 deaths were officially recorded during the controversial “war on drugs”, human rights advocates believe the actual number of casualties may exceed 20,000. Initial attempts by the Duterte administration to halt the ICC’s investigation in late 2021 claimed that local authorities were already addressing the allegations, thus questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Subsequently, new Philippine leadership under Ferdinand Marcos expressed a willingness to cooperate with the ICC by facilitating the former president’s return. Duterte defended his anti-drug policies at a recent rally, stating, “Why did I do it? For myself? For my family? For you and your children, and for our nation.”
Duterte maintained a resolute stance towards the ICC, previously asserting that its actions do not intimidate him. “If I’m found guilty, I can go to prison and rot there for all time,” he remarked, confident in his commitment to what he viewed as a pursuit of peace for the Filipino populace. The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, intervenes when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute severe international crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte at Manila’s airport highlights ongoing international scrutiny over his controversial anti-drug campaign, which allegedly resulted in crimes against humanity. While the ICC asserts jurisdiction over his actions, Duterte’s administration previously challenged this, asserting local investigations were sufficient. As the Philippines moves under new leadership, the reinstated ICC investigation underscores the gravity of accountability for human rights violations. Duterte’s unwavering defense of his actions and the potential consequences before the ICC will likely remain at the forefront of this unfolding legal matter.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
