Duterte Expects Prolonged Legal Fight in ICC Proceedings
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his willingness to engage in a protracted legal struggle at the International Criminal Court following his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity tied to his “war on drugs.” Duterte...
TroibNews 
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his willingness to engage in a protracted legal struggle at the International Criminal Court following his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity tied to his “war on drugs.”
Duterte was apprehended by authorities at Manila's international airport on Tuesday and transported to The Hague the following day. The ICC arrest warrant alleges that from 2016 to 2022, he orchestrated, funded, and equipped “death squads” that executed killings of suspected drug dealers and users.
While in transit, Duterte recorded a two-minute video statement, reassuring his supporters that he is “okay.”
“This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. And so be it, if that is my destiny,” he stated in a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday, which has garnered over 19 million views.
The former president has previously denied any wrongdoing but has acknowledged that there was violence during his “war on drugs.” Shortly after taking office, he vowed to eradicate illegal drugs by directing the police to use lethal force against any drug suspects perceived as a threat.
Official records indicate that approximately 6,200 individuals were killed in police operations, though activists argue the actual number may be significantly higher.
“Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything,” Duterte remarked regarding his anti-drug campaign.
Some human rights advocates have branded the former president's arrest as illegal, citing the Philippines' formal withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte's directive. However, the Hague-based court maintains that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a signatory.
Duterte's son, Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, currently serving as the mayor of Davao City, issued a statement on Friday indicating that his father's arrest “sets a dangerous precedent.”
“If this can be done to a former President of the Republic, what protection is left for ordinary Filipino citizens?” he wrote.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this article for TROIB News
Duterte was apprehended by authorities at Manila's international airport on Tuesday and transported to The Hague the following day. The ICC arrest warrant alleges that from 2016 to 2022, he orchestrated, funded, and equipped “death squads” that executed killings of suspected drug dealers and users.
While in transit, Duterte recorded a two-minute video statement, reassuring his supporters that he is “okay.”
“This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. And so be it, if that is my destiny,” he stated in a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday, which has garnered over 19 million views.
The former president has previously denied any wrongdoing but has acknowledged that there was violence during his “war on drugs.” Shortly after taking office, he vowed to eradicate illegal drugs by directing the police to use lethal force against any drug suspects perceived as a threat.
Official records indicate that approximately 6,200 individuals were killed in police operations, though activists argue the actual number may be significantly higher.
“Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything,” Duterte remarked regarding his anti-drug campaign.
Some human rights advocates have branded the former president's arrest as illegal, citing the Philippines' formal withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte's directive. However, the Hague-based court maintains that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a signatory.
Duterte's son, Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, currently serving as the mayor of Davao City, issued a statement on Friday indicating that his father's arrest “sets a dangerous precedent.”
“If this can be done to a former President of the Republic, what protection is left for ordinary Filipino citizens?” he wrote.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this article for TROIB News
