ICC issues arrest warrant for ex-Pres Duterte, human rights groups praise move

On Tuesday, March 11, human rights groups welcomed the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

The Manila office of INTERPOL received the warrant and promptly took Duterte into custody, with the former president now en route to The Hague for trial.

Human Rights Watch called the arrest a 'critical step for accountability' and urged the Marcos government to surrender Duterte to the ICC, while Amnesty International warned current leaders that they will not enjoy impunity forever.

Official data shows at least 6,252 deaths in police anti-drug operations until May 2022, with estimates of up to 30,000 total drug war-related fatalities including vigilante-style killings.

Families of victims view the ICC as their last hope for justice amid a lack of progress in domestic cases, and civil society groups praised the arrest as a significant step towards accountability and healing for the families affected by Duterte's presidency.