Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippine President, was arrested under an ICC investigation alleging crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug policies that resulted in thousands of deaths. Though officially 6,000 fatalities are reported, estimates suggest over 20,000 may have occurred. Duterte, who has previously dismissed the ICC’s authority, indicated he would accept the outcomes of the legal proceedings against him.
On Tuesday, Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, was arrested at Manila’s international airport following his return from a political rally in Hong Kong. This arrest was executed by Interpol under the directives of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Duterte’s administration for the numerous deaths attributed to his anti-narcotics campaign.
The ICC alleges that from 2011, during his tenure as mayor of Davao, until 2019, Duterte committed crimes against humanity. This assertion arose after Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019, raising suspicions that this move was intended to evade accountability for the violence that transpired.
While official reports state that approximately 6,000 individuals died during Duterte’s controversial anti-drug operations, humanitarian organizations estimate the actual fatalities could surpass 20,000 during his presidency. In late 2021, the Duterte administration attempted to suspend the ICC investigation, claiming that Philippine authorities were already addressing the same issues and questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Despite this, following a ruling from ICC appeals judges to resume the investigation, the new Philippine government under Ferdinand Marcos indicated openness to extraditing Duterte. At a recent rally in Hong Kong, Duterte defended his actions, stating, “Why did I do it? For myself? For my family? For you and your children, and for our nation.”
Duterte expressed his acceptance of potential arrest, asserting, “If this is truly my fate in life, it’s okay, I will accept it. They can arrest me, imprison me.” He has previously stated that the ICC does not intimidate him, urging the court to expedite their investigation, emphasizing his willingness to accept the consequences of his actions for peace in the Philippines.
The ICC, located in The Hague, Netherlands, aims to intervene when national authorities are either unwilling or unable to prosecute individuals for serious international crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
In summary, the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation by the ICC into alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-narcotics operations. Despite Duterte’s denial of wrongdoing, the growing evidence and international scrutiny underscore the complexities of accountability for leaders accused of severe human rights violations. As the case progresses, it will undoubtedly shape discussions around justice and governance in the Philippines and beyond.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
