The intense legal showdown over the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) authority to prosecute former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity has reached a pivotal moment. Duterte’s defense team is ramping up efforts to block the ICC’s jurisdiction, sparking a fierce courtroom battle.
An official closely involved with the victims’ representation revealed that Duterte’s camp does not dispute the grim reality behind the anti-drug crackdown—the campaign that saw at least 6,000 lives lost. Instead, their legal maneuvers aim to dismantle the very legitimacy of the ICC itself.
As the case unfolds, all eyes are on this high-stakes duel that could reshape accountability and justice in the Philippines. The world watches: Can the ICC pierce through the shield of sovereignty, or will Duterte’s defense turn the tide? The drama is far from over.