The news of Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, being put on a plane to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity has sent shockwaves across the globe. According to reports from the Associated Press on March 12, 2023, Duterte was taken into custody and flown out of Villamor Air Base in Manila to The Hague, where he will stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This dramatic turn of events unfolded after Duterte returned from a trip to Hong Kong and was arrested at Manila’s airport, based on an ICC warrant issued for his alleged role in crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his controversial war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people during his presidency. The Philippine police have reported over 6,000 fatalities, while some human rights organizations estimate the death toll to be as high as 30,000.
As Duterte’s plane departed from Villamor Air Base, hundreds of his supporters gathered to protest his extradition, chanting slogans and holding signs in his support. The atmosphere was tense, with many demonstrators convinced that the ICC’s case against him is politically motivated and calling on the Philippine government to protect their former leader.
Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, who is also the current Vice President, has condemned the move as “coercion” and vowed that her family will fight to prove her father’s innocence. Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that Duterte was being held under an ICC warrant issued through Interpol.
The ICC has been investigating the mass killings that occurred during Duterte’s war on drugs, which began during his time as mayor of Davao and continued throughout his presidency. The court has found reason to believe that these operations were both widespread and systematic, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people over several years.
The case against Duterte is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to hold leaders accountable for human rights abuses. As the former President prepares to face trial, the world will be watching closely to see how the ICC’s proceedings unfold and what implications this may have for the Philippines and beyond.