Rodrigo Duterte’s Arrest: A Defiant Response to Allegations of Crimes Against Humanity
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte demanded police “kill” him during his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his drug war policies. He was apprehended at Manila’s airport based on an ICC warrant, which indicates he is under investigation for thousands of extrajudicial executions. Human rights groups criticize his regime for significant crimes, with estimates of victims being as high as 30,000.
Former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, infamous for his violent anti-drug policies, recently made headlines when he asked police to “kill” him upon his arrest. This incident occurred at Manila’s airport as he faced allegations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial actions during his presidency.
Footage captured the moment he defiantly stated, “You will just have to kill me. I refuse if you will just ally with the whites” while resisting to leave the train. Authorities confronted him upon his return to the Philippines from Hong Kong, where he had been engaging with Filipino expatriates.
Soon after, Mr. Duterte was seen being escorted away in a police vehicle alongside his wife, Honeylet Avancena, and daughter, Veronica. His arrest was conducted under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), as confirmed by Major General Nicholas Torres III from the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group.
His daughter also shared footage from the Villamor Air Base, where he questioned the legality of his detention, asking, “What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?” He expressed that he was held against his will and demanded answers regarding his imprisonment.
The ICC is investigating Mr. Duterte for thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, primarily associated with his aggressive war on drugs. A statement from the ICC clarified that he was arrested under an international warrant for charges of murder as a crime against humanity.
The arrest warrant details allegations that he sanctioned armed death squads to eliminate suspected drug offenders. Following a delay in Dubai for medical evaluations, Mr. Duterte has since arrived in the Netherlands and is now in ICC custody. Human rights organizations estimate that as many as 30,000 drug suspects lost their lives during his crackdowns, although police reports estimated the figure to be around 6,000.
In summary, former president Rodrigo Duterte faces serious allegations of crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings during his tenure. His recent arrest at Manila airport has once again highlighted the controversies surrounding his war on drugs. The ongoing investigation by the ICC underscores the international community’s concern over human rights violations in the Philippines. The situation remains fluid as Mr. Duterte is now in ICC custody and awaits further developments in the legal proceedings against him.
Original Source: www.news.com.au
