Philippine senator calls on international court to investigate President Duterte

A top Philippine senate member has called for an international criminal investigation into the president, aimed at ending a war on drugs that has left nearly 2,300 people dead.

Senator Leila de Lima. Photo: Inquirer

Senator Leila de Lima, a former justice minister, said international intervention was the only hope to end the extrajudicial killings that have sown fear among the population since Rodrigo Duterte took office four months ago.

Speaking to the Guardian, she urged world leaders to consider sanctions and for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands to investigate Mr Duterte and those who work for him. "They need to start thinking about investigating immediately or investigating the killings for crimes against humanity," she said.

Ms De Lima is one of Mr Duterte’s most vocal critics in the country. Last month, the Senate removed her as chair of a justice and human rights committee investigating death squads targeting drug dealers and users. Her phone number and address were also published, leading to nearly 2,000 hate messages and death threats.

Nearly 2,300 people have died in police operations or unexplained circumstances since Duterte took office on June 30, according to official Philippine police figures. The campaign has been criticized by the United States and the European Union, but China has expressed support ahead of Duterte’s visit last week.

According to VNE