Duterte Faces ICC Trial for Drug War Killings, Philippines Launches Senate Probe

The former Philippine president's arrest has ignited political tensions, with debates on sovereignty, due process, and justice taking center stage.

Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, was arrested on March 11 and extradited to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity for his war on drugs.
The ICC asserts jurisdiction over Duterte's alleged crimes, which occurred while the Philippines was a party to the Rome Statute prior to its withdrawal in 2019.
The Philippine Senate, led by Senator Imee Marcos, has initiated an investigation into the legality of Duterte's arrest and extradition, citing concerns over sovereignty and due process.
The Marcos-Duterte political alliance, which once secured electoral victories, has fractured, with the fallout contributing to Duterte's arrest and deepening political divisions in the country.
Protests, misinformation campaigns, and polarized opinions continue to shape public discourse, as Duterte's trial marks a significant moment in international accountability for human rights abuses.