Opinion | Duterte Is Enjoying the Due Process He Denied to His Thousands of Victims

In recent weeks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has found himself at the center of controversy yet again. This time, it’s not for his inflammatory remarks or brutal war on drugs, but for his own legal troubles. Duterte is facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in the extrajudicial killings that have taken place under his administration.

It’s a stark irony that Duterte, who has repeatedly shown disdain for due process and human rights, is now finding himself subject to the very same principles that he has denied to thousands of his victims. Throughout his presidency, Duterte has openly endorsed and encouraged the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug users and dealers, without any semblance of a fair trial or legal process.

Under Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, thousands of people have been killed without any form of due process or accountability. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Duterte’s actions, calling them a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the rule of law. Yet Duterte has remained defiant, dismissing criticism and doubling down on his violent approach to combating drug crime.

Now, as Duterte faces the prospect of being held accountable for his actions by the International Criminal Court, he is suddenly invoking the principles of due process and fair trial that he has denied to so many others. In a recent statement, Duterte claimed that he is innocent until proven guilty and that he deserves a fair trial before any judgment is made against him.

But for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s war on drugs, there was no such presumption of innocence or fair trial. They were simply labeled as criminals and killed, without any opportunity to defend themselves or present their case in a court of law. The hypocrisy of Duterte’s sudden concern for due process is staggering, given his complete disregard for it in the past.

It is a bitter irony that Duterte is now enjoying the very same legal protections that he denied to his victims. The victims of his brutal war on drugs have been denied justice and accountability, while Duterte now seeks to shield himself from the consequences of his actions. It is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of due process and human rights, even in the face of authoritarian leaders like Duterte.

As Duterte faces the prospect of being held accountable for his actions, it is essential that the international community stands firm in its commitment to justice and human rights. Duterte must be held accountable for the atrocities committed under his watch, and the victims of his brutal war on drugs deserve justice and closure. The irony of Duterte’s current situation should serve as a wake-up call to all those who value democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.