Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, was arrested in Manila and transported to The Hague at the request of the ICC. His arrest is part of an investigation into thousands of extrajudicial killings linked to his anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022. While Duterte’s camp claims the arrest is unlawful, human rights advocates view it as a necessary step towards accountability for the violence that occurred during his administration.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been transported from Manila to The Hague following his arrest at the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This significant development arose due to the ongoing investigation into the thousands of killings associated with his controversial anti-drug campaign which took place during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
Duterte, a former mayor and prosecutor, was apprehended at Manila airport on Tuesday. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr supported the action, asserting that it was legal and adhered to all necessary protocols. He stated, “I am confident the arrest was proper, correct and followed all necessary legal procedures,” and dismissed any claims of assistance to the ICC, noting compliance with Interpol.
The anti-drug crusade was central to Duterte’s political platform, during which he infamously made incendiary promises to eliminate drug-related crime. He has consistently claimed that police actions during these operations were limited to self-defense and expressed a willingness to accept imprisonment for the cause, stating he was prepared to “rot in jail” to eradicate drugs in the country.
Veronica Duterte, his youngest daughter, detailed via Instagram that her father had boarded a plane and expressed concern over the circumstances of his departure. “The airplane used to kidnap my dad just left minutes ago,” she remarked.
Duterte’s arrest positions him as the potential first former head of state in Asia to face trial at the ICC. Despite withdrawing the Philippines from the court’s framework in 2019, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over allegations of crimes committed during his tenure. This includes inquiries into possible crimes against humanity.
Many in Duterte’s camp denounce his arrest as unlawful, prompting legal attempts to halt the ICC’s actions. A warrant against him cites accountability for at least 43 murders between 2011 and 2019, while human rights advocates view his arrest as a pivotal step towards justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
Official police statistics record 6,200 deaths as a result of the anti-drug operations, yet activists contend that the actual number of fatalities stemming from these actions is significantly higher. The ICC’s prosecutor has estimated that up to 30,000 individuals could have been killed, raising pressing concerns regarding systemic violence and accountability in the enforcement of Duterte’s policies.
The recent arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte marks a critical moment in the ongoing investigations by the ICC regarding his anti-drug campaign. His claims of self-defense and justification for police actions stand in stark contrast to the assertions made by human rights advocates and the implications of possible crimes against humanity. The unfolding legal processes present significant implications for accountability and the future of governance in the Philippines.
Original Source: www.indailyqld.com.au
