Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs” campaign, which led to thousands of extrajudicial killings during his presidency. Human rights organizations have long called for his prosecution, alleging that his policies resulted in widespread abuses, including unlawful executions carried out by state forces. The arrest is seen as a landmark case in international justice, as the ICC seeks to hold former world leaders accountable for human rights violations.
Duterte’s supporters, however, have condemned the move, arguing that his actions were necessary to combat drug-related crime in the country. Some political analysts believe the arrest could deepen political divisions in the Philippines, where Duterte remains a highly polarizing figure. The Philippine government has yet to confirm whether it will cooperate fully with the ICC’s proceedings, but legal experts suggest that his extradition could take months, if not years. The case is expected to set a precedent for how international law addresses allegations of state-sanctioned violence in sovereign nations.
