AMSTERDAM — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity committed during his bloody anti-drug campaign, a court source said Tuesday.
According to the warrant seen by Reuters, Duterte is accused of being responsible for the killing of at least 43 people from 2011 to 2019 as part of his campaign against illegal drugs. The incidents are part of a controversial anti-drug campaign that has drawn heavy criticism from human rights groups and international organizations.
Duterte's anti-drug campaign is said to have resulted in thousands of deaths, including innocent civilians and youth. Although the Duterte administration has denied any abuse of power, many families of victims continue to demand justice for their loved ones.
The ICC has long been investigating killings in the Philippines during Duterte's rule. Human rights groups say the move is crucial to ending a culture of impunity for government officials involved in the violence.
Meanwhile, Duterte's camp denied the allegations and insisted that the ICC investigation was illegitimate because the Philippines has allegedly not been a member of the ICC since 2019. However, according to legal experts, the ICC still has the power to prosecute Duterte for crimes committed before the country left the agreement.
