Duterte and the ICC: A step toward justice for drug war victims

The recent arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte based on an International Crime Court (ICC) warrant marks a key moment in the struggle for justice and accountability. Duterte’s war on drugs was bloody, with extrajudicial executions estimated between 12,000 to 30,000. Human rights organizations and the victims’ families have clamored for justice for years, and his arrest is a sign that impunity is not eternal.

Duterte’s war on drugs was not only a domestic matter: it was a human rights disaster that contravened international laws. His endorsement of vigilante killings and slaying of alleged drug users made the Philippines one of the worst places for poor and vulnerable people. The ICC case against him is not political, it’s about holding leaders accountable to prevent them from weaponizing law enforcement for wholesale slaughter with impunity.

Duterte has insisted that his action was in the interest of national security, but the truth is that his policies disproportionately affected the urban poor, not drug lords and corrupt officials. Due process was denied, abuse of power was pervasive, and tolerance of state-sponsored violence became the new norm in the country.

The Philippines backed out of the ICC in 2019, when the court said it would open an investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs. However, the ICC still has jurisdiction over crimes committed when the country was still a member and Duterte cannot avoid responsibility merely by withdrawing the country’s membership.

His claim that his case is a test of Philippine sovereignty is disingenuous. With the ratification of the Rome Statute by the Philippines in 2011, the country voluntarily obligated itself to ensure international justice. Duterte’s attempt to back out is not enough; the ICC has continued with his case, signifying that war crimes do not know borders.

Duterte’s arrest is not only about his destiny, it is a test of the Philippines’ devotion to justice. His arrest signifies a change in power relations, demonstrating that no leader is above the law. It also revealed the country’s deeper political rift. Daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has labeled the arrest as “politically motivated,” his supporters said this is a move against Philippine sovereignty, while the victims’ families and human rights groups called it a long-sought avenue to justice.

Duterte is not the first world leader targeted by the ICC. Slobodan Milošević of Serbia, Charles Taylor of Liberia, and Omar al-Bashir of Sudan were also brought to international justice for crimes against humanity. Their arrests were seen as a human rights victory; leaders must be held accountable for their actions.

The time has now come for the Philippine government to make a crucial choice: will it fully cooperate with international justice or will it do everything possible to protect Duterte from accountability? This is not only a trial but a message to future leaders: that power should not be abused.

The Philippines can take the opportunity to demonstrate that it stands by democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The ICC’s action reminds us that no leader is above the law and that accountability is necessary for a truly democratic society.

VIEL ANDREA C. MANALO,
andrea2008manalo@gmail.com