For the families still grieving Duterte’s brutal drug war, the ICC might be their only hope

CNN - Apr 12th, 2025

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). His arrest marks a significant development for families of victims of the brutal 'war on drugs' that he led during his presidency, resulting in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Victims' families, like Christine Pascual whose teenage son was killed, express mixed emotions of relief and sorrow, hoping for justice after years of impunity. Duterte's first court appearance was at The Hague via video link, and a hearing is set to determine if the case will go to trial.

The arrest is a pivotal moment in the Philippines, where Duterte's controversial campaign against drugs left a trail of human rights abuses. His presidency, which ended in 2022, was marked by a high death toll, often targeting impoverished communities. Despite the popularity of his hardline approach among some Filipinos, many families were left without closure as the national justice system failed to provide accountability. The ICC's involvement underscores the importance of international oversight in addressing alleged state crimes, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in the country.

Human Rights International Criminal Court Rodrigo Duterte Extrajudicial Killings Philippines War On Drugs

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the human and political dimensions of Duterte's controversial drug war and the subsequent ICC proceedings. It scores highly in timeliness, controversy, and public interest due to its focus on current events and human rights issues. The narrative is compelling, with clear language and structure enhancing readability. However, the article could improve in balance and source quality by incorporating more diverse perspectives and direct attributions. While the factual accuracy is generally strong, some claims require further verification to ensure precision. Overall, the article provides a thought-provoking exploration of a significant international legal case, with room for improvement in sourcing and perspective diversity.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with known events, such as Duterte's presidency and the controversial war on drugs. It accurately describes the ICC's jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member. However, some claims, like the exact number of extrajudicial killings and the specific details of individual cases, require further verification. The article cites police data and rights groups' estimates but does not provide specific sources for these figures, which could affect precision. Overall, the narrative is mostly truthful but would benefit from more direct source citations.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of victims and human rights organizations, highlighting the negative impact of Duterte's drug war. While this is a critical viewpoint, the story lacks representation from Duterte's supporters or government officials, which could provide a more balanced view. The narrative focuses heavily on the emotional and tragic aspects of the victims' stories, potentially leading to an imbalance in perspective. Including more diverse viewpoints could enhance the article's balance.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it accessible to a general audience. The narrative flows logically from personal stories to broader political implications. The tone is neutral, though slightly emotive when describing the victims' experiences. The use of quotes and vivid descriptions enhances reader engagement, but the lack of specific data sources could affect comprehension for those seeking more detailed information.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as Amnesty International and the ICC, adding to its reliability. However, it lacks direct quotes or statements from government officials or Duterte's legal team, which could provide a more comprehensive view. The reliance on secondary sources like the Philippine Inquirer and unnamed police data suggests a need for more direct attribution to enhance source credibility. The absence of a variety of sources could affect the overall impartiality of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the ICC's involvement and Duterte's policies, but it lacks detailed explanations of its methodology or the basis for certain claims. For example, the figures related to drug users and extrajudicial killings are mentioned without specifying the exact sources or methods of data collection. Greater transparency in how information was gathered and the potential conflicts of interest could improve the article's clarity and trustworthiness.