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The former president of the Philippines, Duterte, appears by video in link at the hearing of the International Criminal Court

The former president of the Philippines, Duterte, appears by video in link at the hearing of the International Criminal Court

By Mike Corder

The Hague, Netherlands (AP) – The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, appeared on Friday by videoconference before the judges in the International Criminal Courtdays after his arrest in Manila for murder positions linked to the mortal ” War on drugs “That supervised while I was in office.

According to the request of the Arresto Prosecutor’s Office, Duterte, such as the Mayor of Davao, issued orders to the Police and other “success” formed by the so -called Davao death squads, or DDS.

He told them that “that his mission was to kill criminals, including drug traffickers, and provided authorization for murder for specific DDS,” prosecutors alleged, adding that he recruited, paid and rewarded the murderers and “provided them with the necessary weapons and resources, and promised to protect them from prosecution.”

The document that seeks a Order of the CPI for Duterte said that prosecutors built their case using evidence that includes testimony of witnesses, speeches of the Duterte itself, government documents and video.

The reaction of the rights groups

The human rights groups and the families of the victims have acclaimed the arrest of Duterte as a historical triumph against the impunity of the State, while the supporters of the former president have criticized what they call the surrender of the government of a political rival to a court whose jurisdiction disputes.

“We are happy and we are relieved,” said Melinda Abion Lafuente, 55, mother of Angelo Lafuente, 22, who, according to her, was tortured and killed in 2016.

“The appearance of Duterte before the ICC is a testimony of the courage and the determination of the victims, their families and activists and Philippine journalists to follow justice regardless of how long it takes,” said Bryony Lau, deputy director of Asia of Human Rights Watch. “Other leaders who face the arrest orders of the CPI, such as (Russian president) Vladimir Putin and (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu should take note that even those who seem untouchable today can end up in The Hague.”

Duterte defense

Duterte’s legal team said that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not have allowed the global court to take the custody of the former leader because the Philippines is no longer part of the ICC.

Medialdea said that “two problematic entities reached an unlikely alliance. A titular president who wishes to neutralize and drown the legacy of my client and his daughter “and” a problematic legal institution subject to delegitimization. “

The judges who approved the arrest warrant of Duterte said that the Court has jurisdiction because the crimes alleged in the order were committed before Duterte retired Philippines from the Court in 2019.

Jim Gómez, Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines and Ahmad Seir in The Hague contributed to this report.

Originally published:

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