The NUPL said Rodrigo Duterte was even luckier to have the opportunity to face court, unlike his alleged victims who were simply gunned down and deprived of the chance to defend themselves.

Rodrigo Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, will face allegations of crimes against humanity for overseeing death squads in his war on drugs.

I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything," Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague. Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his "war on drugs" in which thousands of purported dealers and users were killed.