The investigation of the drug war continues – ICC

After the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that his investigation into the situation in the Philippines will continue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wknvvo1fkvk

In a video posted on YouTube, the CPI prosecutor Karim Aa Khan emphasized that Duterte’s arrest for charges of crimes against humanity for thousands of deaths during his bloody war against drugs shows that international law can be effective. He said that arrest is significant for victims, since it shows that responsibility is possible when nations work together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45wwu44a_pi

In a statement, the ICC said that the arrest was an important development in its “search for responsibility” in the situation in the Philippines for alleged crimes committed during the so -called war on drugs.

Police officers stand in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as supporters and opponents of former President Rodrigo Duterte meet after their arrest in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. EPA-EFE/Bart Maat

“This is a crucial step in our continuous work to guarantee the responsibility of the victims of the most serious crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C1TT34S81Y

He also pointed out that the case against Duterte fell “within the jurisdiction of the Court when the alleged crimes occurred during the period in which the Philippines was a state part of the Rome Statute, the Founding Treaty of the ICC.”

“It is alleged that Mr. Duterte committed these crimes as part of a systematic and generalized attack directed against the civilian population,” said the CPI.

“The office now begins the preparations for the initial appearance and subsequent judicial procedures before the court,” said the ICC.

The office thanked all the victims, survivors, witnesses and activists of the Philippines “who have taken a step forward to cooperate in office investigation.”

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, arriving in Manila from Hong Kong.

The same day, he was flying on a rented plane that was heading to The Hague, where he was late on the afternoon of March 12 (passed at midnight on March 13 in Manila).

The CPI prosecutor’s office claimed that Duterte, during his time as mayor and then president, was responsible for crimes against humanity, specifically murder, pointing to civilians from November 2011 to March 2019, when Philippines was still part of the Rome Statute.

On March 7, a chamber prior to the trial issued an arrest warrant, finding reasonable reasons to believe in Duterte’s participation in these crimes.

The ICC thanked the victims, survivors and witnesses who cooperated in the investigation, recognizing their vital role in making this progress possible.

“Their strength, courage and perseverance make these significant developments possible. Those who wish to cooperate even more or who have relevant information are encouraged to do so through the office of the office of the office,” he added.

‘I’m fine’

Meanwhile, in a video message posted on its Facebook page, Duterte assured their supporters that it is “well” and told them not to worry when you arrived in the Netherlands to face the ICC to address crimes against humanity charges presented against it.

“It was a long flight. I’m fine, don’t worry,” he said in a video message published shortly after Thursday’s midnight, Manila time.

The former leader, who gained notoriety for his speeches loaded with expletives and his hard position against crime and criminals, said that the legal and political battle currently faces has something to do with the situation of law and order of the country under its surveillance.

The 79 -year -old is the first former Asian head of state to face positions in the ICC.

He assumed the responsibility of the relentless campaign against narcotics during his term and reminded the police and the military to continue with their jurors.

“I told the police and the military to do their job, and that I will assume the responsibility. So, this is,” he said.

“For all the … what happened in the past, I will serve as the front of our application of the law and even the army. I told you that I will protect you,” he added in English and Filipino.

Once under the custody of the ICC, Duterte will be taken to a detention center before making an initial appearance before the court in the next few days.

“This will be a long legal procedure, but I tell you that I will continue to serve the country. So if this is my destination. Thank you,” he concluded.

The Filipina Embassy in the Netherlands provided consular assistance to Duterte, who arrived at Rotterdam airport aboard a rented flight.

The embassy said the plane that transported Duterte landed at Rotterdam airport at 4:56 pm on Wednesday (11:56 pm Manila time).

Duterte was delivered by accompanying the authorities of application of the Filipin Law to the officials of the CPI Judicial Cooperation Unit in the Registry Office.

“In view of the winter season in Europe, the embassy prepared, acquired and delivered winter clothes, change of clothing and attention packages for the former president,” he said in a statement published on Facebook.

The Embassy said that “appropriate winter clothes, the change of clothing and the attention packages were also delivered to the delegation that already accompanies it the members of the airport crew at the airport.”

The embassy said that former executive secretary Salvador Mediadoa received a 15 -day visa as a Duterte lawyer and has been granted permission to visit him at the CPI detention center in Scheveningen, Hague.

The Embassy officials previously attracted the attention of the CPI officials and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands “about the need to closely attend and monitor the medical and physical conditions of the former president.”

In related developments, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday that the entire military force remained intact and their high moral in the middle of not verified reports that the soldiers renounced by the arrest of Duterte.

The Philippine Army spokesman, Colonel Louie Dema-Ala, said they have not verified online soldiers and said morality remains high. Dem-ala also said that the army does not need loyalty control, since the army remains professional.

At the same time, the AFP spokesman, Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, said that AFP personnel reports resigned in support of former President Duterte are still not verified. “We urge everyone to exercise critical discernment and avoid disseminating unconfirmed information,” said Padilla.

Former Senator Leila de Lima said Thursday that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is the last person who should tell organizations and human rights defenders what to do in the arrest of the former president. De Lima’s comments occurred after Cayetano said that due process should be provided to all, including Duterte.

“He is also the last person on earth with credibility to talk about due process and human rights,” said De Lima in a video statement.

“While we struggled, you killed thousands of Filipinos, including babies and children,” he added in Filipino.

The former senator, who was arrested by the previous administration about his criticisms of his war against drugs, said Cayetano should also be among those accused in the ICC with Duterte.

“The defense of Alan Peter of the EJK (extrajudicial murders) of the war on drugs is well known. In fact, it should be one of the defendants and arrested by the ICC along with Duterte. He enabled and encouraged the mortal criminal company that was the summary execution of poor Philippines in the name of a false drug war,” said De Lima.

“You have been talking about due process and human rights, but where were you when I fought in the Senate the loss of due process and respect for human rights by those killed in the war on drugs?” He added in Filipino. With Aric John Sy Cua, Francisco Tuyay