Rodrigo Duterte Faces Murder Charges at ICC for ‘War on Drugs’

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, appeared via video link at the ICC facing murder charges linked to his “war on drugs.” This is his first court appearance following his arrest. He faces serious allegations, with estimates of deaths during his campaign reaching as high as 30,000. Duterte expressed a defiant stance, asserting his commitment to serving the country amid these legal challenges.

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, has appeared via video link at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, facing murder charges linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” The appearance took place at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, where he was informed of the charges and his legal rights. This follows his recent arrest in Manila and subsequent arrival in the Netherlands after a lengthy flight with a stopover in Dubai for medical care.

Duterte is being accused of murder, characterized as a crime against humanity, allegedly committed between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019. It is during this period that he was either President or Mayor of Davao City and purportedly the leader of the Davao Death Squad. His presidency from 2016 to 2022 was notorious for its violent anti-drug campaign, resulting in significant fatalities.

According to police statistics, around 6,000 people were killed during this aggressive initiative, while human rights groups estimate the death toll could be as high as 30,000, with many innocent bystanders also affected. The majority of victims were young men from low-income neighborhoods, targeted under the guise of combating drug trafficking. Since leaving office in 2022, only a handful of police officers have faced conviction for their involvement in the related killings.

Prior to arriving in the Netherlands, Duterte shared a video message on his Facebook, displaying a resolute demeanor. He remarked on the responsibilities he had relayed to the police and military, stating, “…this will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country.”

This story is ongoing and further developments are expected.

In summary, former President Rodrigo Duterte is facing serious charges at the ICC related to his administration’s violent anti-drug campaign, which has resulted in numerous deaths since 2011. His recent appearance via video link marked a critical step in ongoing legal proceedings, characterized by his defiant stance and commitment to public service despite the allegations against him. The international community now watches closely for further developments in this significant case of alleged human rights violations.

Original Source: www.crossroadstoday.com