The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ignited fresh controversy by issuing an arrest warrant for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing him of crimes committed between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019. However, the Philippines withdrew from the ICC’s jurisdiction on March 17, 2019, raising questions about the court’s authority over Duterte.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the former leader’s daughter, strongly condemned the move, calling it a “blatant affront to our sovereignty” and asserting that Filipinos would “never obey foreigners” in their own country.
The case underscores broader resistance to the ICC’s influence. Russia, China, and the United States have all criticized the court, with Russia dismissing it as a “puppet of the West”, China condemning its “double standards”, and the U.S. even imposing sanctions on it in response to past rulings.
