ICC Takes Custody of Duterte, Landmark Trial Looms
The ICC trial has the potential to be a landmark event not just for Philippine politics, but for Asia as well, as it marks a significant step towards accountability for human rights abuses. The trial is expected to shed light on the alleged crimes committed during Duterte's presidency and provide a measure of justice for the victims and their families.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the extrajudicial killings during his campaign against illegal drugs, a significant step towards accountability for the thousands of deaths that occurred during his presidency.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Duterte on February 10, 2025, and he was surrendered to the court on March 12, 2025. The prosecution alleges that Duterte's death squads carried out extrajudicial killings, targeting civilians, and that he is responsible for a systematic attack on the civilian population. The ICC will hold a confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, and a trial is expected to start in early 2026, marking a significant moment for the ICC as Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to be brought to trial.
The ICC investigation began in 2018 and focused on the "war on drugs" campaign waged by the Government of the Philippines between 2011 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. The investigation found that there was a widespread and systematic attack on a civilian population, and that Duterte was responsible for the killings as the head of the Davao Death Squad and later as President of the Philippines. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2018, but the ICC retained jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member of the ICC.
The trial of former President Duterte has sparked concerns about its impact on Philippine politics, particularly in the ongoing midterm election campaign. His supporters have called for protests against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the alleged violation of the country's sovereignty, while some senators have expressed opposition to the ICC's decision. The focus, however, should remain on the perspectives of the families of victims seeking justice and accountability.
