Duterte's Defiance: Former Philippine President Challenges ICC Over Drug War

Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has expressed willingness to surrender to the International Criminal Court amidst investigations into his 'war on drugs' that led to thousands of deaths. Current President Marcos Jr's administration indicated possible cooperation with an international warrant, marking a significant shift in stance.

In a surprising development, the Philippines has signaled potential cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) should any warrant for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte be issued. This comes amid renewed scrutiny over Duterte's notorious 'war on drugs' campaign.

During a Wednesday congressional hearing, Duterte, now 79, boldly invited the ICC to proceed with its investigation. He emphasized his willingness to face any charges, reiterating his defiant stance: 'If I go to hell, so be it.'

The announcement marks the first indication of cooperation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's administration, a reversal from Duterte's own withdrawal of the Philippines from the ICC in 2019. Meanwhile, human rights groups continue to call for accountability, pointing to a far larger death toll in the anti-drug operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)