The Hague, Netherlands. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and is expected to arrive at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. The 79-year-old ex-leader, accused of crimes against humanity for his controversial anti-drug campaign, is the first former Asian head of state to be detained by the global tribunal.
The arrest follows an ICC warrant issued over Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, which left thousands dead. He was taken into custody in the Philippines on Tuesday morning and is now en route to The Hague.
What Is the ICC?
The ICC, based in The Hague, is an international tribunal responsible for prosecuting individuals for the world’s gravest crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. The court steps in when national authorities are unwilling or unable to prosecute such cases.
Since its establishment in 2002, the ICC has issued 60 arrest warrants, leading to 11 convictions. It operates without a police force, relying on member states to enforce its warrants. The court has 125 member states, with notable exceptions including the United States, Russia, and China.
Where Will Duterte Be Held?
Duterte will be held at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen, a high-security facility within a Dutch prison complex. Detainees have access to books, television, and a gym, and can prepare their legal defense using computers. The facility also includes a medical center and a communal area.
Currently, five other individuals are in ICC custody, including Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, and Alfred Yekatom from the Central African Republic, Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud from Mali, and Ali Mohammed Ali Abdul Rahman from Sudan. If convicted, Duterte will serve his sentence in a prison outside the Netherlands.
ICC’s High-Profile Cases
The ICC has pursued several high-profile figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A warrant against Putin, issued in 2022, accuses him of overseeing the abduction of Ukrainian children. Netanyahu, along with Hamas’ military chief, was charged in connection with the war in Gaza.
Other notable fugitives include former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda.
Duterte has long dismissed the ICC’s authority, previously stating, “I will not answer to a foreign court. My loyalty is to the Filipino people.” However, with his arrest, he now faces the very tribunal he once defied.
What’s Next?
As Duterte awaits trial, the world watches closely to see how the ICC will handle a case that has sharply divided opinions in the Philippines and beyond. Will this mark a turning point for international justice, or will Duterte’s defense challenge the court’s legitimacy?
Stay tuned for updates.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
