Rodrigo Duterte’s Arrest: A Chilling Response to Allegations

Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs. He famously asked to be killed rather than surrender. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant, highlighting accusations of extrajudicial killings during his presidency, with estimates of up to 30,000 deaths attributed to his anti-drug policy.

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, made alarming remarks during his arrest at a Manila airport for alleged crimes against humanity. As police attempted to deboard him from a train, Mr. Duterte stated, “You will just have to kill me. I refuse if you will just ally with the whites,” reflecting his resistance to arrest. He had returned to the Philippines on Cathay Pacific flight CX907 after meeting with expatriates in Hong Kong.

After being confronted by officials, Mr. Duterte, accompanied by his wife Honeylet Avancena and daughter Veronica, was escorted to a police vehicle. His arrest was based on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as explained by Major General Nicholas Torres III of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group. The ICC is investigating Mr. Duterte for alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during his presidency, predominantly in connection with his aggressive anti-drug campaign.

In a video released by his daughter, Mr. Duterte expressed confusion over his detainment, questioning, “What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?” He demanded clarity regarding what he described as his deprivation of liberty. According to the ICC, the allegations against him relate to the establishment of death squads that were responsible for the deaths of suspected drug offenders during his administration.

Following his arrest, Mr. Duterte was transferred to the custody of the ICC, arriving in the Netherlands after delays due to medical examinations in Dubai. Human rights organizations have reported that during his tenure, as many as 30,000 suspected drug users and dealers were killed, while local police statistics suggest that approximately 6,000 fatalities occurred.

In summary, former president Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on charges stemming from his controversial drug policy during his presidency. His arrest follows allegations from the ICC regarding extrajudicial killings, with claims of thousands of deaths linked to drug enforcement. The situation has sparked significant public attention, reflecting ongoing concerns about the implications of his administration’s actions.

Original Source: www.news.com.au