Former Leader of Philippines Held in the Hague for Crimes Against Humanity

Rodrigo Duterte in 2018. Source: Getty Images / AFP

For years, former leader of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has evaded justice for his crimes against humanity. The so-called “punisher” is now in International Criminal Court (ICC) custody after he was arrested in Manila on a return flight from Hong Kong on March 11. 

Duterte rose to power on the promise of reducing crime and drug dealing in the Philippines. Many Filipinos hoped Duterte would combat omnipresent crime and corruption. However, the international community looked on in horror as Duterte fashioned a terrifying, merciless war on drugs during his tenure. Despite frequent indiscriminate killings, Duterte’s approval ratings only significantly plummeted below 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon leaving office in 2022, he remained relatively popular. 

Rodrigo Duterte’s use of extrajudicial violence did not begin when he was elected president in 2016, although he won his campaign running on vows to kill anyone involved with drugs. Duterte spent 22 years as the mayor of Davao City, a city of close to two million people. As mayor, Duterte was hell-bent on eliminating criminal–particularly drug-related–activity. He was more than willing to operate outside of the law. The infamous “Davao Death Squad” initially went after criminals Duterte ordered to be killed. Later, Duterte sent assassins after dissidents and political opponents. Journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa was hunted by Duterte’s administration for her efforts to expose undemocratic activity. 

Duterte publicly expressed that he would not respect human rights in his war on drugs. Under his reign, bodies were found dumped in creeks and garbage sites. Victims like these received no trial. Suspected drug users and drug dealers alike were murdered. Without due process and legitimate legal proceedings, there was a murky line between who was suspected of drug-related crimes versus who was a victim of random police violence and corruption.  

The ICC charged Duterte as an indirect co-perpetrator of crimes against humanity such as torture, rape, and murder. The ICC Chamber authorized an investigation into Duterte’s actions in September 2021. The official death toll of Duterte’s war on drugs is 6,000; however, some estimates range closer to 30,000. 

The detention of Rodrigo Duterte represents a rare triumph for the ICC. The international court has faced criticisms for being ineffective and lacking membership from powerhouse countries like the US, China, and Russia. There are arrest warrants out for President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity in Ukraine and Gaza, respectively. It does not appear either leader will face real legal consequences for their actions any time soon. Duterte, however, is in ICC custody. 

While the arrest and potential conviction of Rodrigo Duterte cannot restore the lives lost in his grim war on drugs, it counts for something that he is facing criminal charges. For families of victims, it had seemed the ruthless leader would go unpunished for the thousands of killings he ordered. Now, some semblance of justice will be administered to the “punisher” of the Philippines.