Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, appeared via video link at an International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) hearing following his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity. This arrest, which occurred nearly three years after he left office, marks a significant moment for Filipinos seeking justice for victims of his administration's violent policies.
Mr. Duterte, 79, was apprehended at Manila’s main airport after returning from Hong Kong, just days after the I.C.C. issued an arrest warrant. The arrest was facilitated by Interpol, as the Philippines is no longer a member of the court.
Following his arrest, Mr. Duterte was transported to The Hague in the Netherlands. During his presidency, which began in 2016, he had publicly endorsed a violent crackdown on drug users and traffickers, leading to the deaths of thousands, including minors and individuals not involved in drug-related activities, according to activists.
Despite his previous immunity from prosecution, Mr. Duterte's situation changed with the political landscape in the Philippines. His camp has claimed that the I.C.C. lacks jurisdiction due to the country's withdrawal from the court, but judges have ruled that the court can investigate killings that occurred while the Philippines was still a member.
The prosecution's charges against Mr. Duterte pertain to events between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, the date of the Philippines' official withdrawal from the I.C.C. The country remains a member of Interpol, which assisted in his arrest.
Political dynamics have shifted since Mr. Duterte's term ended in 2022, when Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. succeeded him. Although initially resistant to I.C.C. cooperation, the Marcos administration later permitted court investigators to enter the country.
The I.C.C. faces challenges in securing a conviction against Mr. Duterte, as it must demonstrate that his "war on drugs" constituted a systematic attack against civilians as part of a criminal plan. Sara Duterte, the former president's daughter, has labeled her father's arrest as political oppression, while President Marcos has stated that he is adhering to international norms by complying with the Interpol warrant.
Mr. Marcos's decision to approve the arrest may be a strategic move to diminish the Duterte political influence, especially as Ms. Duterte is currently leading in polls for the 2028 presidential election. This issue is anticipated to significantly impact the Philippines' midterm elections in May, which are viewed as a contest between the Marcos and Duterte factions.