Background on Rodrigo Duterte and His Relevance
Rodrigo Duterte, the 70th President of the Republic of the Philippines, served from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022. Known for his controversial and often brash style of governance, Duterte’s presidency was marked by his “war on drugs” campaign. This initiative aimed to eradicate illegal drug trade and related crimes within the country, but it also led to widespread allegations of human rights abuses.
CPI Fiscals’ Accusations
On July 4, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors formally accused Duterte of three counts of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in at least 76 murders, which are part of his “war on drugs” campaign.
Charges Against Duterte
- Co-author of 19 murders: Duterte is accused of being a co-perpetrator in 19 killings that took place between 2013 and 2016, when he served as mayor of Davao.
- High-value targets: He is charged with 14 murders of “high-value targets” in 2016 and 2017, while he was president.
- Drug-related arrests: Duterte is also accused of 43 murders during drug-related raids targeting alleged drug users or small-time dealers.
The ICC Fiscalía stated that these killings occurred across the Philippines between 2016 and 2018, involving “thousands of murders systematically carried out throughout the period” covered by the accusation.
Duterte’s Detention
Duterte, who is 80 years old, was detained in March at Manila’s airport. His arrest came as a result of the ICC’s investigation into his alleged human rights violations during his presidency.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the CPI Fiscals? The ICC Fiscals are prosecutors working for the International Criminal Court, an independent international organization that investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with committing the gravest of crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
- What is the significance of these accusations against Duterte? These accusations are significant as they mark the first time a state party to the Rome Statute (the treaty establishing the ICC) has been subjected to such scrutiny. It also highlights the global concern over human rights abuses, even when committed by heads of state.
- What is Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign? Launched in 2016, Duterte’s “war on drugs” was an aggressive anti-narcotics campaign aimed at eliminating illegal drug trade and related crimes. However, it led to numerous allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
- What are the potential consequences for Duterte? If found guilty, Duterte could face a prison sentence. However, the ICC does not have its own enforcement mechanism and relies on cooperation from states to arrest and surrender the accused.
