At 4 AM at the international airport, a former president was handcuffed. Former Philippine President Duterte, known as the “Iron Fist President” for his ruthless policies, was arrested by his own country and sent to The Hague, thousands of miles away? Little did anyone know, this shocking “international warrant” might be a carefully orchestrated political stunt! When the president’s sister publicly criticized her brother’s decision, this family feud quickly escalated into a national crisis. Is this a just trial or a dirty political revenge?
Hero of the War on Drugs or Human Rights Demon?
Let’s first clarify the background of this situation.
During his presidency from 2016 to 2022, Duterte implemented a globally infamous war on drugs policy. He openly declared, “Those caught using or selling drugs will be shot on the spot!” This statement sounds terrifying, but it did yield results—crime rates in the Philippines significantly improved, with drug-related crimes dropping by 63%. His approval rating reached a record high of 65% when he left office.
But a hero to some may be a demon to others.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) believes Duterte’s anti-drug actions constitute “crimes against humanity,” with reports of over 6,000 deaths during these operations. The problem is, the Philippines withdrew from the ICC back in 2019, so technically, they shouldn’t have jurisdiction! Yet, the ICC stubbornly continued its investigation, which feels like “still meddling in an ex’s affairs after a breakup.”
Marcos’s 180-Degree Turn
When current President Marcos first took office, he clearly stated he would not cooperate with the ICC’s investigation into Duterte.
However, as tensions between the Marcos and Duterte families escalated (Duterte’s daughter Sara is the current vice president under Marcos, but their relationship is fraught with underlying tensions), Marcos suddenly made a “perfectly executed” 180-degree turn.
On March 11 of this year, upon returning to the Philippines, Duterte was immediately detained by police and sent to the ICC in The Hague. This move shocked onlookers: Is a country really handing over its former leader for foreign trial? What kind of operation is this?
Plot Twist! The Warrant May Be Forged
Just when everyone thought Duterte would face a lengthy trial in The Hague, the situation took a sudden turn!
Marcos’s sister—Imelda Marcos, chair of the Philippine Senate Foreign Relations Committee—held a hearing to publicly question her brother’s decision. This drama is even more riveting than a palace intrigue! Look at how these siblings are handling this!
Imelda fired back: The International Criminal Police Organization never issued a red notice for Duterte, only a “diffusion notice.” She angrily questioned, “When did the Philippines become a province of The Hague?” This statement elevated the incident to a matter of national dignity.
Even more shocking, reports suggest that the red notice used to arrest Duterte may be forged! This news detonated like a nuclear bomb, causing an uproar in the Philippines.
Marcos Can’t Sit Still
This turmoil caused Marcos’s approval ratings to plummet, with recent polls showing his support dropping from an initial 56% to below 20%. Now he can no longer sit idly!
The presidential spokesperson quickly issued a statement emphasizing, “The Philippines is an independent country, not a province of anyone,” and argued that Philippine law allows the government to extradite defendants to international courts. But this sounds suspiciously like a way to shift blame, akin to the popular internet phrase: *”You’re right, but…”*
At this point, various political and business leaders are distancing themselves from Marcos, fearing being caught up in this political storm. The speed of this shift is comparable to the speed of emptying a shopping cart on Double Eleven—it’s laughable!
Does Duterte Still Have a Chance?
From the current situation, Duterte is not entirely without hope.
Although the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him, the case is still in the phase of confirming the charges. If the charges are ultimately not confirmed, the trial cannot proceed. He even has a chance to apply for temporary release, with a probability of about 40%.
Moreover, Duterte still has a solid support base in the Philippines, with his daughter Sara enjoying a 54% approval rating, far surpassing Marcos. Leaving a good reputation for one’s children is a duty, and children defending their parents is a responsibility. Currently, Sara is advocating for her father, and this familial bond has garnered considerable public sympathy.
The plot twists from Duterte being a political strongman to a prisoner, and possibly making a comeback, are more dramatic than a soap opera. Regardless of the outcome, this turmoil has already severely impacted the political landscape and international image of the Philippines.
May we all gain insight into the essence of power and understand the profound meaning of patriotism from this political storm. Do you think Duterte will ultimately be convicted? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!
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