Title: The Long Arm of Justice: ICC Charges Former Philippine President Duterte with Crimes Against Humanity The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recently charged former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in the killings of at least 76 people while he was president and earlier a southern mayor. This is a significant development as it marks the first time that a sitting or former head of state from the Philippines faces charges for alleged human rights abuses. The ICC’s charge sheet, submitted on July 4th, details three separate incidents involving Duterte’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during his tenure as mayor and president. The first charge cites 19 victims killed while he was mayor of Davao City between 2013 and around 2016. The second involves 14 who died in targeted killings between 2016 and 2017 when Duterte was president, while the third cited the killings of 43 people during so-called “clearance operations” between 2016 and 2018. Duterte has consistently denied authorizing extrajudicial killings despite his public threats against drug suspects and encouragement for police to use lethal force if necessary. He was arrested in March by Philippine authorities on a warrant issued by the ICC, where he is now being held at an ICC facility in the Netherlands. The implications of these charges are far-reaching, not only for Duterte but also for the Philippines as a whole. If convicted, it would set a precedent that no one is above the law, even former heads of state. It could potentially lead to increased scrutiny on other countries’ leaders and their human rights records. From my perspective, this development signifies an important step towards accountability for those who have committed atrocities under the guise of power. While it may take years before we see any concrete results from these charges, they serve as a reminder that justice can be served even when it seems impossible. It is crucial to continue supporting organizations like the ICC in their efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions and ensure that human rights violations are not ignored or swept under the rug.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/09/23/g-s1-90024/icc-charges-former-philippine-president-duterte-crimes-against-humanity)
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