Lawyers for former President Rodrigo Duterte have petitioned for his return to the Philippines after his arrest in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign. His arrest has been met with jubilation among victims and human rights advocates. Despite objections from Duterte’s supporters regarding ICC jurisdiction, the Philippine government confirms that all legal protocols were adhered to in his arrest.
Lawyers representing former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte have formally requested his return to Manila in a petition submitted to the Supreme Court. This plea comes as victims of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign expressed their excitement over his recent arrest in The Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity related to this campaign, which has allegedly resulted in approximately 30,000 deaths.
Duterte was transported to The Hague to answer the charges, becoming the first former leader in Asia to receive an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). His legal team, acting on behalf of his youngest daughter, Veronica, filed accusations of “kidnapping” against the government and insisted on his return to the Philippines.
As developments unfolded, Duterte’s plane was scheduled to land in the Netherlands, while his eldest daughter, Sara Duterte, the current Vice President, traveled to Amsterdam to assist with his legal matters. Human rights advocates reacted positively to Duterte’s arrest, with Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch stating that the reaction among victims was one of unprecedented joy and hope, signifying an essential moment in the history of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Conde emphasized the disenchantment of victims with the domestic justice system and their reliance on the ICC as a means of seeking justice. An ICC spokesperson confirmed that an initial appearance hearing would be arranged following Duterte’s arrival in court custody, although the timeline for a trial remains uncertain, prompting calls for prompt proceedings from activists.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, representing families of murder victims, stated that the sorrow from their losses was briefly overshadowed by feelings of hope and joy at Duterte’s arrest, framing it as a triumph for the marginalized. Brother Jun Santiago, a community leader and founder of a coffee shop aimed at supporting families affected by extrajudicial killings, observed a palpable sense of relief within the community.
The coffee shop encouraged patrons to learn about the abuses under Duterte’s administration by offering discounts, symbolizing collective commemoration. Celebrations of Duterte’s arrest were widespread among human rights advocacy groups, with the Philippine rights alliance Karapatan calling it a long-awaited development.
Despite criticisms from Duterte’s supporters regarding ICC’s legal authority after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, the ICC has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed prior to this withdrawal. President Ferdinand Marcos confirmed that the arrest was made at the ICC’s request, asserting that proper legal procedures were followed and that the Philippines did not assist the ICC in the arrest process.
In summary, the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte has initiated a profound sense of hope among victims of his anti-drug campaign, with legal actions underway to ensure his return to the Philippines. As human rights advocates celebrate this historic event, the ICC’s jurisdiction remains a point of contention. The unfolding legal processes will be closely monitored for their potential to address the injustices endured by countless families affected by Duterte’s policies.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
