Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, was arrested on Tuesday in Manila after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity. The charges are related to his controversial war on drugs, which human rights groups claim led to the summary executions of tens of thousands of Filipinos.
Duterte, 79, returned from Hong Kong and was taken into custody at the airport. His lawyer, Salvador Panelo, called the arrest unlawful, arguing that the Philippines had withdrawn from the ICC during Duterte’s presidency. Despite his legal claims, the arrest marks a significant moment for the victims of the drug war, many of whom were poor and innocent civilians.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, had long remained defiant, even in the face of international criticism. He once promised immunity for his actions and dismissed human rights laws. The Philippines has now allowed ICC investigators back into the country, a shift under the current government of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This arrest could be a crucial step towards justice for the thousands who suffered during Duterte’s brutal drug campaign.
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