ICC Declares Arrest of Former Philippine President Significant for Victims
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Synopsis
The ICC has emphasized that the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is a pivotal moment for the victims of his anti-drug campaign, highlighting the importance of international law and accountability for human rights violations.
Key Takeaways
- The ICC views Duterte's arrest as significant for victims.
- Karim Khan emphasized the strength of international law.
- Duterte is accused of crimes against humanity.
- The alleged crimes occurred during a specific period.
- Human rights groups estimate over 30,000 deaths during the drug war.
Manila, March 13 (NationPress) The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that the detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is significant for the victims of his anti-drug campaign, as reported by various media outlets.
"The execution of the ICC arrest warrant is crucial for the victims. It holds substantial meaning for them," stated ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan on Wednesday.
"Many contend that international law is not as robust as we desire, and I concur. Nonetheless, I consistently stress that international law is not as feeble as it may seem," Khan further elaborated.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has expressed its support for the arrest and transfer of suspect Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, on March 11, 2025, by Philippine authorities. This action is part of the ongoing inquiry into the situation in the Philippines.
The statement indicated that based on the ICC's impartial investigations, it has been confirmed that Duterte, as the founder and leader of the Davao Death Squad, then serving as Mayor of Davao City, and subsequently as President of the Philippines, is "criminally accountable for the crime against humanity of murder perpetrated in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019."
The prosecutor's office asserted that Duterte's actions constituted "part of a widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population."
The statement further noted that the arrest warrant issued on March 7 confirmed reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte has "criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of murder."
Additionally, it was highlighted that the case against Duterte falls under the Court's jurisdiction since the alleged offenses occurred during the time when the Philippines was a State Party to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC.
Duterte is currently held in custody by the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. His custody was transferred by the accompanying Philippine law enforcement officials to the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the ICC Office of Registry.
The Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands has reported that Duterte has been assigned legal counsel, who has been allowed to visit the former President on Thursday at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
The Malacanang, the Office of the President of the Philippines, stated on Wednesday that former President Duterte could face a prison term of up to 30 years or even life imprisonment if found guilty of crimes against humanity by the ICC related to his anti-drug campaign.
Duterte was apprehended under a warrant issued by the ICC at Manila airport on Tuesday morning following his return from Hong Kong. He faces charges before the ICC concerning his involvement in the alleged extrajudicial killings that took place during his administration's war on drugs.
Human rights organizations estimate that over 30,000 individuals lost their lives during this campaign, many of whom were accused without evidence and executed without a trial.
