In brief
The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in Manila after an International Criminal Court warrant accused him of overseeing mass extrajudicial killings. As controversy surrounds his leadership, many call for accountability and justice for victims.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has been arrested in Manila following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of committing crimes against humanity in connection with the notorious war on drugs that has resulted in widespread extrajudicial killings. The detainment took place as he returned from a trip to Hong Kong on Tuesday, according to statements from the Philippine government.At the age of 79, Duterte, who left office in 2022, has been known as a populist leader with significant political influence. His tenure was marked by a brutal campaign against drug-related crime, which has drawn condemnation from human rights groups and has led to allegations that as many as tens of thousands of individuals were executed without due process. While he has faced numerous accusations, until now, he enjoyed a level of protection from accountability, with only a sparse number of individuals convicted in connection to the killings.This arrest could pave the way for a long-awaited legal reckoning, as his administration faced numerous inquiries into the human rights abuses that unfolded during his presidency. The unfolding situation has garnered widespread attention, calling into question the implications for governance and justice in the Philippines moving forward.Marlise Simons contributed reporting from Paris. Sui-Lee Wee is the Southeast Asia bureau chief for The Times, overseeing coverage of 11 countries in the region.
