Duterte’s First Night in ICC Jail: A Historic Moment

Duterte's First Night in ICC Custody Marks Historic Moment

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has begun his first night behind bars at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. His incarceration coincides with his 80th birthday, a stark contrast to the powerful leadership role he once held.

Outside the ICC detention facility, Duterte’s supporters gathered in protest, waving national flags and chanting, “Bring him back!” as he was swiftly escorted through the heavily secured gates.

Shortly before arriving in the Netherlands, the 79-year-old remained defiant, refusing to express regret for his controversial war on drugs. The ICC maintains there is “reasonable basis” to charge him with crimes against humanity, specifically extrajudicial killings carried out as part of his anti-narcotics campaign.

During Duterte’s tenure as mayor and later as president, thousands of alleged drug dealers, users, and civilians were killed without due process. While official figures place the death toll at approximately 6,000, human rights groups estimate that tens of thousands may have perished in the brutal crackdown.

Duterte has consistently defended his actions, claiming that his aggressive policies were necessary to rid the country of street crime. However, human rights organizations argue that the campaign disproportionately targeted the urban poor and involved widespread police abuses.

His arrest marks a historic precedent—Duterte is the first former head of state from Asia to face charges at the ICC, and the first suspect to be transferred to The Hague in three years.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the world watches closely to see how international justice will address one of the most contentious and polarizing figures in modern Philippine history.