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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Charges

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Charges
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Rodrigo Duterte Appears Before ICC via Videoconference

Rodrigo Duterte Appears Before ICC via Videoconference

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, made an appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges on Friday through a videoconference. This follows his arrest in Manila over murder charges linked to his controversial ‘war on drugs’ policy during his presidency.

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The 79-year-old opted for a remote appearance from a nearby detention facility rather than attending the hearing in The Hague in person. Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc stated that Duterte was granted the option of remote attendance due to the exhaustion from his recent lengthy flight.

During the hearing, Duterte, clad in a formal jacket and tie, listened to the proceedings via headphones, occasionally closing his eyes. He confirmed his identity and birth details in English but was not required to submit a plea.

Criticism of Duterte’s Arrest

Duterte’s legal representative, Salvador Medialdea, expressed strong criticism regarding his client’s arrest. “He was summarily transported to The Hague,” Medialdea declared. “To lawyers, it’s extrajudicial rendition. For those less versed in legal matters, it’s simply kidnapping.”

Medialdea contended that Duterte was deprived of legal avenues in the Philippines, arguing that the arrest was politically driven.

Judge Motoc scheduled a pretrial session for 23 September to assess the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence for a full trial. A guilty verdict could result in a maximum life imprisonment sentence for Duterte.

Protests and Reactions

Protests erupted outside the ICC in The Hague on Friday, with demonstrators both supporting and opposing Duterte.

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Human rights organizations and victims’ families celebrated the arrest as a significant victory against state impunity. Activists took to the streets in the capital region of the Philippines, demanding accountability for the thousands killed in Duterte’s harsh drug war. Other groups set up large screens for families of victims to view the ICC proceedings.

Conversely, Duterte’s supporters denounced the government’s decision to hand over a political adversary to a court whose jurisdiction they contest.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, was present among supporters outside the court. Following the proceedings, she visited her father in the detention facility.

Murder Charges Against Duterte

Murder Charges Against Duterte

Prosecutors accuse Duterte of being an “indirect co-perpetrator” in multiple murders, asserting that his actions constitute crimes against humanity. The charges encompass his supposed role in orchestrating killings from November 2011 to March 2019, initially as the mayor of Davao City and subsequently as the president.

The prosecution claims that as mayor, Duterte issued directives to police and “hitmen” forming the notorious Davao Death Squads. He allegedly ordered them to target criminals, particularly drug dealers, and authorized specific killings.

Documents seeking an ICC warrant detail that Duterte not only recruited and supported the killers but also equipped them with weapons and resources, while assuring immunity from prosecution.

Prosecutors built their case using various forms of evidence, including witness testimonies, Duterte’s speeches, government documents, and video footage.

Duterte’s legal team argues that the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not have permitted the global court to assume custody of the former president, as the Philippines is no longer an ICC member.

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Harry Roque, Duterte’s former presidential spokesperson, has applied to become one of his lawyers. If accepted, he intends to challenge the legality of Duterte’s arrest by Philippine authorities and the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines, which withdrew from the court during Duterte’s presidency.

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