What happened in Philippine drug war that led to Duterte’s arrest?

The Final Toll: Understanding the Human Cost of Duterte’s Drug War

When Rodrigo Duterte left office in 2022, the Philippines was left grappling with the devastating consequences of his controversial war on drugs. Officially, the government acknowledged 6,248 deaths linked to the anti-drug campaign. However, activists and human rights groups paint a far grimmer picture, estimating that thousands more lives were lost in mysterious circumstances, often targeting urban poor communities. The drug war, which Duterte launched in 2016, was marked by a relentless crackdown on suspected drug users and dealers, with many individuals placed on official "watch lists" becoming targets of violent reprisals. Duterte remained unapologetic about the campaign, insisting that police only acted in self-defense, even as evidence mounted of widespread abuses.

Bodies Exhumed, Truth Uncovered: The Discrepancies in Death Certificates

Families of the victims, alongside human rights advocates, began to uncover the truth behind the drug war’s deadliest toll. In a series of exhumations, sometimes carried out with the accompaniment of Reuters journalists, bodies were compared to death certificates and official police reports. What they found was shocking: dozens of cases where violent deaths were listed as having natural causes. In one harrowing case, a death certificate attributed a man’s passing to pneumonia, yet the exhumed body revealed a bullet hole in the skull. These discrepancies raised poignant questions about the accuracy of official records and the scale of the violence carried out under the guise of the drug war.

The ICC Investigation: A Long and Winding Road to Justice

The international community took notice of the atrocities unfolding in the Philippines. In February 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced a preliminary investigation into the deaths linked to the drug war. However, Duterte responded defiantly, withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC a month later. The withdrawal became official in March 2019. Despite this, the ICC continued its probe, suspending it in 2021 after the Philippine government claimed its judicial system was capable of investigating and prosecuting alleged abuses. Yet, by 2023, the ICC reopened its investigation, citing dissatisfaction with the Philippines’ efforts to address the issue domestically.

A Shift in Stance: The Marcos Government and the ICC

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who succeeded Duterte in 2022, the Philippine government initially signaled resistance to the ICC. However, in a significant shift, the administration later softened its stance. By late 2024, Marcos’ government indicated its willingness to comply with any ICC arrest warrant. In January 2025, the justice minister revealed that the Philippines was open to cooperating with the international court. This reversal marked a potential turning point in the quest for accountability, though it remains to be seen how this burgeoning cooperation will translate into tangible results.

The Legacy of the Drug War: A Nation Divided and Healing

Duterte’s drug war has left an indelible mark on the Philippines, dividing the nation between those who supported the tough-on-crime approach and those who condemned its brutality. While some Filipinos credit the campaign for reducing crime and improving safety, others mourn the loss of loved ones and demand justice for the victims. The scars of the drug war run deep, with families of the dead still seeking answers and closure. As the Philippines moves forward, the challenge lies in reconciling the past, ensuring accountability, and building a future where the rule of law prevails over violence and impunity.

Moving Forward: The Fight for Justice and Accountability Continues

The journey toward justice for the victims of the drug war is far from over. The ICC’s ongoing investigation offers a glimmer of hope for those seeking accountability, though the path remains fraught with obstacles. The Philippine government’s shifting stance on cooperation with the ICC adds another layer of complexity to the equation. Meanwhile, activists and families of the victims continue their tireless advocacy, ensuring that the voices of the dead are heard and their memories honored. As the Philippines navigates this critical juncture, the world watches to see whether justice will finally prevail for the thousands of lives lost during Duterte’s tumultuous era.