Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted full responsibility for his administration’s “war on drugs” and is preparing for a lengthy legal battle at the International Criminal Court (ICC). In a video message posted on his Facebook account, Duterte stated, “Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything”.
Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his “war on drugs,” which resulted in the deaths of thousands of alleged drug dealers and users. The ICC has charged him with crimes against humanity for overseeing death squads during his anti-drug crackdown.
In the video message, Duterte assured his supporters that he is well and vowed to continue serving the Philippines. “This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. And so be it, if that is my destiny,” he said.
Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, the Philippines’ vice president, has arrived in The Hague to support her father. The ICC trial is expected to be a significant moment for the court, which has faced criticism and sanctions from the US
