Rodrigo Duterte: Arrest of Former President
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. This follows accusations of crimes against humanity related to his “war on drugs.” Duterte, who turns 80 this month, faces charges for his violent anti-drug crackdowns that resulted in thousands of deaths.
Rodrigo Duterte: Impact of the Crackdowns
The ICC claims that Duterte’s war on drugs led to as many as 30,000 deaths, with most victims being poor men from urban areas. Many were gunned down in the streets. These killings occurred from 2016, when Duterte took office, until the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019.
Rodrigo Duterte: Arrest at Manila Airport
The president’s office announced that authorities arrested Duterte on Tuesday morning at Manila airport. He had just returned from Hong Kong when the arrest took place. This development comes amid growing speculation that the ICC planned to take action against him.
Reactions from Critics and Advocates
Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte, reacted to the arrest. She emphasized that the arrest was not about personal vengeance but about justice for the victims. De Lima had spent over six years in jail under Duterte’s administration on what many believed were baseless charges.
Josalee S. Deinla, from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, also spoke out. She said that justice was “finally catching up” with Duterte. The organization represents the victims of Duterte’s drug war.
Duterte’s Response to Speculation
Before his arrest, Duterte had commented on the possible warrant. He said, “If this is really my fate in life, that’s OK, I will accept it.” He expressed that he would not fight his fate and would accept whatever happens.
Duterte’s Presidency and Drug War
Duterte became president in 2016 after promising to eradicate drugs through harsh measures. He once made a chilling remark about dumping bodies in Manila Bay. As president, he openly encouraged the public to kill drug dealers and addicts. Human rights groups estimate that between 12,000 and 30,000 people were killed in connection to his drug crackdown.
International and Domestic Reactions
While Duterte’s crackdown sparked international outrage, he remained popular in the Philippines. His daughter, Sara Duterte, currently serves as vice president. Human rights groups welcomed his arrest. Human Rights Watch called it a critical step toward accountability. They urged President Ferdinand Marcos to quickly surrender Duterte to the ICC.
