Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody after the Philippine government received an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to his involvement in suspected crimes against humanity during his controversial “war on drugs.” This operation, which began in 2016, has been linked to the deaths of over 6,000 individuals, although ICC prosecutors estimate that the actual number of extrajudicial killings could reach as high as 30,000.
Duterte was arrested at Manila’s main airport upon returning from a trip to Hong Kong. The Presidential Communications Office announced that Interpol Manila had received the official arrest warrant from the ICC. “Upon his arrival, the prosecutor general presented the ICC notification for an arrest warrant against the former president for crimes against humanity,” the statement read.
Elected in 2016 on a platform promising to eliminate illegal drugs, Duterte previously served as mayor of Davao City, where he allegedly led a deadly anti-drug campaign without accountability. His administration’s actions drew widespread international condemnation.
The 79-year-old has consistently defended his policies, denying allegations of extrajudicial killings while admitting to instructing police to use lethal force in self-defense. In 2019, he withdrew the Philippines from the ICC as the court began investigating claims of systematic killings under his rule. Nonetheless, the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while a country was a member, and the current Marcos administration has indicated willingness to cooperate with the ICC if an arrest warrant were issued.
Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares remarked that for the families of victims from Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, his arrest ignites hope for justice. “They see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for their search for justice for their loved ones who were mercilessly killed during Duterte’s tenure,” he stated.
Rights group Karapatan has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that Duterte is delivered to the ICC for trial. They assert that cooperation with the ICC could lead to a conviction and accountability for Duterte’s actions.
If transferred to The Hague, Duterte could become the first former head of state from Asia to stand trial at the ICC. As the situation unfolds, many Filipinos remain hopeful that this development marks a significant step toward justice and accountability for the many lives affected by Duterte’s policies.
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