In the Philippines, a demonstration was held demanding the release of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of “murder” under the category of “crimes against humanity.”

The 88th founding anniversary celebrations of Davao City in the Philippines turned into protests demanding Duterte’s release. Approximately 20,000 people participating in the celebrations marched while chanting slogans calling for Duterte’s release and return to his country.

“WAR ON DRUGS” OPERATIONS
The ICC decided to launch an investigation in September 2021 into crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the “war on drugs” operations carried out by Duterte between 2016 and 2022. However, towards the end of the year, the Philippines conducted its own investigation into the same allegations and suspended the ICC probe after claiming that the ICC had no jurisdiction. Following the ICC’s preliminary examination, the Philippines withdrew from the court’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, on March 17, 2018. The ICC then resumed the investigation on July 18, 2023.