Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for an expedited resolution of his crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC)โnot out of defiance, but out of a desperate wish to return home before time runs out.
Now 80 years old, the fiery ex-leader fears he could spend his final days behind bars in The Hague. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, revealed his emotional plea after a recent visit:ย “He said, โI am an old man. I can die anytime. But I want to die in my country.โ”
Despite the looming legal battle, Duterte remains unshaken in his conviction that his controversial policiesโincluding the brutal drug war that sparked global outcryโwere acts of patriotism.ย “Everything I did, I did for my country,”ย Sara quoted him as saying.ย “Whether that statement is acceptable or not, I want it out to the world.”
A Legacy of Bloodshed and Defiance
Duterteโs presidency (2016-2022) was defined by hisย deadly anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups say led toย extrajudicial killings of over 6,000 peopleโthough some estimates suggest the toll could beย three times higher. His fiery rhetoric, including public encouragement of vigilante violence, drewย global condemnationย and prompted the ICC to launch a probe in 2018.
Despite the backlash, Duterte remains defiant, insisting his actions were necessary.ย โEverything I did, I did for my country,โย he told his daughter.ย โWhether that statement is acceptable or not, I want it out to the world.โ
The Legal Endgame
Duterteโs legal team, led byย British lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, is preparing motions toย dismiss the caseย and possibly secure hisย interim release.
Meanwhile, ICC prosecutors have handed overย 181 pieces of evidence, though details remain sealed.
The case puts the Philippines in a difficult position: the countryย withdrew from the ICC in 2019ย under Duterteโs orders, but the court claims jurisdiction over crimes committed before the exit. Current Presidentย Ferdinand Marcos Jr.ย has repeatedly stated the governmentย will not cooperateย with the ICCโyet the court could still issue an arrest warrant.
Will Duterte Ever Return Home?
The question now is whether Duterte willย clear his name, strike a deal, or face trial abroad.
With his health and freedom at stake, this legal battle isnโt just about justiceโitโs aย race against timeย for a man who once ruled with an iron fist and now just wants to come home.
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