Former Leader of the Philippines Faces Charges at International Court Despite Refusal to Attend
The former President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, is set to face international scrutiny as a pre-trial hearing for his alleged role in a brutal anti-drug campaign is set to start. This comes despite Duterte's refusal to participate in the proceedings due to old age and alleged memory loss.
Duterte, who is 80 years old, was arrested and taken to The Hague last year after accusations of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from a severe anti-drug campaign that led to the deaths of thousands of individuals.
Charges Against Duterte
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will soon establish a pre-trial hearing to verify the charges against Duterte. The former leader has voiced his disapproval for the court, denying the allegations against him and stating that the court has no jurisdiction over him. The former president has been accused by the victims' families of being a coward for refusing to face the charges.
"He should answer for everything he has done to us and to the families of the other victims," Sarah Celiz, a mother whose two sons were killed in 2017 during Duterte's rule, stated.
Support for Duterte
Despite the accusations, some of Duterte's supporters continue to stand by him, citing his advanced age and alleged health issues as reasons for sympathy. However, this sympathy is not shared by all. "He showed no mercy to us, so why should we show him any?" Celiz, who has been pushing for Duterte to be tried for years, responded.
Pre-Trial Hearing
Even though Duterte has been granted permission to not attend the hearings, the reasons provided have been deemed as speculative by the judges. The court has also rejected claims of cognitive impairment by Duterte's defence team, ruling that he is fit to participate in the hearings.
The pre-trial hearing will ultimately determine whether there is enough evidence to believe that Duterte is guilty of murder and attempted murder charges. If the charges are confirmed, the case will move on to the trial stage.
Controversial Anti-Drug Campaign
Duterte was elected in 2016 with a promise of a ruthless campaign against drugs. After taking office, he encouraged civilians to kill addicts and promised not to prosecute police for extrajudicial executions. In a shocking statement, he even compared himself to Hitler and admitted to killing suspected criminals during his time as mayor of Davao, his home city.
The ICC's investigation covers alleged crimes committed from November 2011 to June 2016, including supposed extrajudicial killings across the Philippines and in Davao during Duterte's presidency. The estimated number of civilian deaths related to the drug war range from 12,000 to 30,000 according to the ICC prosecutor's statement.
Continued Influence at Home
Despite international condemnation, Duterte's popularity remains high in the Philippines. His daughter, the current Vice President, has announced her intention to run for president in the country's 2028 election, with predictions suggesting she might have a strong chance of winning.
However, the families of the victims who have spoken out against Duterte's drug war fear possible retaliation if Sara Duterte wins the presidency. But for Celiz, fear is no longer a factor. "Since my sons died, fear is no longer in my vocabulary," she stated, expressing her hope for the court to swiftly deliver justice.