Philippine police arrest duterte on ICC charges of humanity crimes
The Philippine police have arrested Rodrigo Duterte, the former president who served from 2016 to 2022. He is accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity, under the pretext of Duterte's "war on drugs".
The 79-year-old politician was apprehended at the airport in Manila when he returned from Hong Kong. His arrest was based on charges brought against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The ICC accuses Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity. This involves the brutal suppression of individuals suspected of trafficking, or even possessing small amounts of psychoactive substances.
According to prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, during Duterte's tenure (from 2016 to 2022), thousands of people died in the brutal campaign. Ruthless torture of individuals suspected of drug-related activities also occurred when Duterte served as mayor of Davao City.
Former Philippine president arrested. He does not plead guilty
Duterte questioned the legality of his arrest and did not plead guilty. The BBC reports that he addressed the officers, asking, "What crime did I commit?" People close to the 79-year-old politician condemn the arrest based on the ICC warrant.
Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo believes the arrest is "illegal". He points out that in 2019, the Philippines withdrew from the treaty on the International Criminal Court.
Members of the ICC highlight that the international court can rule on cases that occurred when the Philippines was a treaty member. On this basis, Rodrigo Duterte was arrested.
Human rights organisations in the Philippines view the arrest of the former president as a "historic moment" and a moral restitution for the families of the victims of the campaign.
"The New York Times" cites data from human rights organisations in the Philippines. According to statistics, around 30,000 people died in Duterte's "war on drugs" campaign. By the end of his presidency, the authorities had killed precisely 6,252 people "suspected of involvement in drug-related activities".
