Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Set for Trial Over Alleged Drug War Crimes Judges at the International Criminal Court confirmed on Thursday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial for crimes against humanity related to his alleged role in deadly anti-drug crackdowns during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president. A three-judge panel unanimously ruled there were “substantial grounds” to believe Duterte, 81, was responsible for dozens of murders, including the orchestration of a policy to “neutralize” alleged criminals. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the case, which has drawn global attention for its implications on accountability for state-sanctioned violence. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in the Philippines in 2023 and transferred to The Hague, where the ICC is based. He has consistently denied the charges, which allege that his administration authorized widespread extrajudicial killings during the drug war. Prosecutors argue that police and hit squads, acting under Duterte’s directive, carried out hundreds of murders starting in 2011, often motivated by financial incentives or to avoid becoming targets themselves. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang described the violence as a “perverse form of competition” among law enforcement personnel. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidency vary dramatically. National police reported over 6,000 fatalities, while human rights groups claim the figure could be as high as 30,000. Prosecutors emphasized that the ICC’s decision represents a “significant milestone” in their pursuit of justice, though the trial’s outcome remains uncertain.#international_criminal_court #philippine_president #rodrigo_duterte #kian_delos_santos #human_rights_watch
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency on March 24, 2026, citing risks to the country’s energy supply linked to the escalating conflict in West Asia. The declaration followed concerns over global energy market instability, supply chain disruptions, and rising oil prices, which Marcos described as an “imminent danger” to the nation’s energy security. In an executive order, Marcos announced the formation of a committee tasked with ensuring the orderly movement, supply, distribution, and availability of critical goods such as fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other essentials. The committee’s role is to coordinate measures to mitigate the impact of global energy supply disruptions and protect the domestic economy. The president emphasized that the emergency declaration would empower the government to take responsive actions under existing laws, including procuring necessary fuel and petroleum products to guarantee a timely and sufficient supply. In cases of urgency, the government could also advance payments for contracts to secure energy resources. Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin provided additional details during a news briefing, stating the country had approximately 45 days of fuel reserves based on current consumption levels. She noted efforts to acquire 1 million barrels of oil from both within and outside Southeast Asia to bolster the nation’s buffer stock. The declaration remains in effect for one year, allowing the government to implement strategies to address vulnerabilities in the global energy supply chain. Marcos highlighted the need for coordinated measures to counter the volatility in international oil prices and the broader economic risks posed by the conflict.#philippines #ferdinand_marcos_jr #philippine_president #philippine_energy_secretary #sharon_garin
