ICC issues arrest warrant for ex-Philippine President Duterte

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on March 7. The warrant, based on allegations of crimes against humanity, was executed by Philippine authorities after Duterte returned from Hong Kong on March 11. The ICC claims Duterte is responsible for a "widespread and systematic attack" on civilians during his presidency, particularly related to his war on drugs from 2016 to 2022. The court cites the involvement of the Davao Death Squad and police in thousands of killings. While the ICC found sufficient grounds for murder charges, it dismissed claims of torture and rape due to insufficient evidence. The warrant emphasizes Duterte's leadership role and knowledge of the operations during the relevant period.