Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his ‘war on drugs’. The ICC is investigating the deaths during his tenure, claiming the true toll may exceed 20,000. The current government appears willing to cooperate with the ICC’s inquiry, emphasizing the significant implications for international legal standards regarding human rights.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, was apprehended on Tuesday at Manila’s international airport upon returning from a political rally in Hong Kong. The arrest was executed by Interpol under orders from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is currently investigating the numerous fatalities arising from Mr. Duterte’s harsh anti-narcotics campaign.
The ICC accuses Mr. Duterte, who is 79 years old, of committing crimes against humanity between 2011 and 2019. This period includes his tenure as mayor of Davao and consolidates actions taken after he withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019, a move seen by critics as an attempt to evade accountability for human rights violations.
Official statistics indicate approximately 6,000 deaths occurred during the controversial “war on drugs,” although human rights organizations suggest the actual figure may exceed 20,000. Former President Duterte’s administration attempted to halt the ICC’s investigation in late 2021 by asserting that local authorities were handling similar allegations, contending that the ICC lacked jurisdiction in this case.
Following recent rulings by ICC appeals judges gaining permission for the investigation to proceed, the current Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos has expressed readiness to cooperate and possibly extradite the former leader. Mr. Duterte defended his anti-drug efforts at a recent rally, stating that his intentions were for the safety and wellbeing of the Filipino population.
During his remarks, he remarked, “If this is truly my fate in life, it’s okay, I will accept it. They can arrest me, imprison me.” He proclaimed that his actions were intended for peace, insisting, “What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people.”
The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, has the authority to intervene in cases where domestic judicial systems are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
In summary, Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest highlights significant allegations against him regarding his anti-drug operations, which have resulted in thousands of deaths. The ICC’s investigation calls attention to international accountability for crimes against humanity, paralleling ongoing discussions within the Philippines regarding justice and governance under new leadership. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how legal proceedings will unfold.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
