Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made an unannounced go to to Hong Kong on Sunday, resulting in questions on whether or not he’s making an attempt to evade a attainable arrest warrant by the Worldwide Prison Court docket over his extrajudicial killings amid his battle on medication throughout his time in workplace.
Duterte, 79, and his daughter — incumbent Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte — had been the principle audio system at a marketing campaign rally on the Southorn Stadium within the busy Wan Chai industrial district in Hong Kong for the senatorial candidates of his political celebration, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, forward of the Might 12 midterm elections within the Philippines.
In his speech, Duterte addressed reviews in regards to the ICC presumably issuing a warrant for his arrest, reiterating earlier feedback that he was ready to be jailed if his arrest is ordered.
“If that’s my destiny, that’s fantastic. I’ll settle for it. We are able to’t do something if I’m arrested or imprisoned,” he stated in entrance of a crowd of Filipino supporters.
Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks contained in the Southorn Stadium throughout a gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino staff for the previous populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
The ICC has been investigating the big variety of killings by police and gunmen below Duterte’s crackdown towards unlawful medication throughout his tenure as president from 2016-2022. Hundreds of individuals, most of whom had been poor, had been left useless as he sought to hold out his war on drugs.
Duterte, whereas in workplace, additionally prosecuted a journalist for protection that scrutinized the federal government’s killings.
The previous populist president has denied he licensed extrajudicial killings. Nonetheless, he overtly and repeatedly threatened to kill suspected drug sellers throughout his time in workplace.
“What was my sin?” Duterte requested in his speech in Hong Kong. “I did every thing in my time, so Filipinos can have slightly peace and tranquility.”
He jokingly informed the group to make small contributions for the development of his monument, which he stated ought to present him holding a gun.
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Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks contained in the Southorn Stadium throughout a gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino staff for the previous populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
A senior Philippine official stated the previous president was scheduled to fly again on Tuesday to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, however one other senior official stated he might lengthen his keep in Hong Kong.
Present President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is ready to deal with any state of affairs stemming from an ICC arrest warrant, the president’s communications secretary, Jay Ruiz, stated.
“We have heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the Worldwide Prison Court docket towards former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes towards humanity,” Ruiz stated in a press release. “The federal government is ready for any eventuality.”
Within the southern metropolis of Davao, Duterte’s residence area, police bolstered safety on the worldwide airport and can monitor new checkpoints. Philippine police informed reporters the transfer was a part of an effort to make sure regulation enforcement would be capable of deal with any contingencies.
Duterte had held workplace in Davao, beforehand serving as mayor, vice mayor and member of the Home of Representatives. He was additionally chair of the Davao Metropolis Liberal Social gathering from 2009-2015.
Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks contained in the Southorn Stadium throughout a gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino staff for the previous populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
Marcos Jr. has stated that Philippine law enforcement agencies can be required to totally cooperate if the ICC seeks Duterte’s arrest.
The ICC was created in 2002 to function a courtroom of final resort for probably the most severe worldwide crimes, together with genocide, battle crimes, crimes towards humanity and aggression. The ICC turns into concerned when international locations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes inside their borders.
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About 125 international locations have signed the courtroom’s foundational treaty, the Rome Statute. However China, which controls Hong Kong, has not signed on.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, which activists argued was an try and evade accountability and stop a global investigation into the government-authorized killings. Nonetheless, the ICC nonetheless maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes dedicated when the nation was a member, so Duterte might nonetheless be held accountable for attainable crimes dedicated within the first half of his presidency.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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