Former Philippine President Duterte Arrested and Sent to ICC for Drug War Crimes
Rodrigo Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for his deadly anti-drug campaign, marking a historic moment for international justice.
- Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, was arrested on March 11 and extradited to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) alleges that Duterte oversaw extrajudicial killings of thousands, with estimates ranging from 6,200 to over 30,000 victims during his presidency and earlier tenure as mayor of Davao.
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose political alliance with Duterte's family has fractured, facilitated the arrest, citing cooperation with Interpol but stopping short of rejoining the ICC.
- Families of drug war victims, many of whom had lost faith in the Philippine justice system, have expressed cautious hope that Duterte's trial will bring accountability.
- Duterte's arrest has polarized the Philippines, with his supporters decrying the move as politically motivated while human rights advocates see it as a step toward ending impunity.