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 significant development comes nearly three years after he left office and is seen as a crucial step for Filipinos seeking justice for victims of his administration's violent policies.
Duterte, 79, was apprehended at Manila’s main airport after returning from Hong Kong, shortly after the I.C.C. issued an arrest warrant. His arrest was facilitated by Interpol, as the Philippines is no longer a member of the court.
Following his arrest, Duterte was transported to The Hague in the Netherlands. During his presidency, which began in 2016, he had publicly endorsed a violent campaign against drug users and traffickers, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands, including minors and individuals not involved in drug-related activities, according to activists.
Despite his previous impunity, Duterte's legal situation changed with the political upheaval in the Philippines. His successor, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., initially indicated a lack of cooperation with the I.C.C. However, in late 2023, the Marcos administration permitted I.C.C. investigators to enter the country.
The I.C.C. faces challenges in securing a conviction against Duterte, as it must demonstrate that his "war on drugs" was part of a systematic attack against civilians. The prosecution's charges pertain to events occurring between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, before the Philippines officially withdrew from the court.
Sara Duterte, the former president's daughter, has labeled her father's arrest as political oppression, while President Marcos claims compliance with international norms regarding the Interpol warrant. Analysts suggest that Marcos's approval of the arrest may be a strategy to diminish the Duterte political influence ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, where the rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte factions is expected to be a significant issue.