Duterte accepts responsibility for drug war crimes

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted responsibility for his government's "war on drugs" in a video message filmed before his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He stated he would protect law enforcement and military personnel involved. Duterte was taken into custody in the Netherlands, becoming the first former Asian leader to face ICC charges. The court claims there are reasonable grounds to believe he is responsible for crimes against humanity related to alleged murders in the Philippines from 2011 to 2019. Supporters gathered at the detention center in The Hague, while Duterte's lawyers filed a petition claiming his daughter was "kidnapped" and demanding his return to the Philippines. The ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.