10.03.2025 17:20
In the Philippines, it has been stated that more than 7,000 police officers will be assigned to capture former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is wanted by Interpol with a red notice for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his 'war on drugs' operations during his term.
According to a report by the Manila Times, an unnamed senior official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that at least 7,000 police officers will be assigned to detain former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has a red notice issued against him by Interpol, upon his return from Hong Kong.
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE DENIES RED NOTICE
It was reported that security forces have been dispatched to various transportation points, primarily Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the capital Manila, to capture Duterte. Meanwhile, the Presidential Palace announced that they have not received any information regarding Interpol issuing a red notice.
DUTERTE ANNOUNCED HE WILL COOPERATE
Before the midterm elections scheduled for May 12 in the Philippines, Duterte visited the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong with the country's current Vice President and his daughter, Sara Duterte. Speaking there, former President Duterte reiterated that he is ready to go to prison if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant against him due to the "war on drugs" operations that began in 2016, which are said to have resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 people.
ICC AND THE PHILIPPINES' "WAR ON DRUGS" OPERATIONS
The International Criminal Court (ICC) decided in September 2021 to conduct an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the "war on drugs" operations from 2016 to 2022, when Duterte was in office. However, towards the end of the year, the Philippines reviewed the same allegations, and the investigation was suspended after claiming that the ICC did not have jurisdiction as the final authority. Following the ICC's initiation of a preliminary investigation, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the court, on March 17, 2018. The ICC decided to continue the investigation on July 18, 2023.