From 'The Punisher' to ICC Arrest: Duterte and the War on Drugs

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known as 'the punisher,' was arrested in Manila on an ICC warrant related to his controversial war on drugs. During his presidency, the crackdown led to over 6,200 acknowledged deaths, though activists claim the true toll is much higher.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, famed for his ferocious war on drugs, has been detained in Manila following an International Criminal Court warrant. Duterte's presidency, spanning from 2016 to 2022, was marked by a harsh anti-drug campaign that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos.

Known as 'the punisher' due to his rigorous approach to law enforcement during his mayoral tenure in Davao, Duterte vowed an uncompromising stance on drug-related crimes. His presidency saw a nationwide police crackdown, resulting in over 6,200 officially recognized deaths, many described as 'shootouts.'

However, critics argue the death toll was significantly higher and involved extrajudicial killings. In 2018, the ICC launched an investigation, temporarily halted in 2021, before resuming due to concerns over the effectiveness of the Philippine judicial system. The current government has agreed to comply with ICC decisions.