'War on Drugs' During Duterte's Presidency
Duterte's Side Estimates 6,200 Deaths
ICC Estimate Reaches Up to 30,000... Nearly Five Times Higher
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is giving a candidate endorsement speech ahead of the midterm elections at a social gathering venue located in Metro Manila, Philippines, on the 13th of last month (local time). / Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News
The International Criminal Court (ICC) executed an arrest warrant against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the 11th in connection with the Philippine government's 'War on Drugs.'
The Philippine Presidential Office announced that the Philippine police arrested former President Duterte at Manila International Airport upon his return from a visit to Hong Kong on the same day.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant for former President Duterte through Interpol to investigate the large-scale killings during his term (2016?2022) related to the War on Drugs, and the Philippine authorities received and executed the warrant.
The Presidential Office added that former President Duterte is currently in custody and his health condition is stable.
Since taking office in 2016, former President Duterte launched a massive crackdown on drug crimes. During this process, the Philippine government reported that approximately 6,200 suspects died after police opened fire if drug users or dealers did not immediately surrender. However, the ICC estimates the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000.
In response to the ICC's preliminary investigation into the War on Drugs in 2018, the Philippines withdrew from the ICC. When the ICC proceeded with a formal investigation, the Philippines requested a suspension, stating it would conduct its own investigation, but the ICC decided to resume the investigation, citing the Philippine government's inadequate inquiry.
The Marcos administration has expressed willingness to cooperate if the ICC attempts to arrest former President Duterte through Interpol. The decisive turning point was last year when the political alliance between President Marcos's camp and former President Duterte's camp turned into a rivalry.
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