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Rodrigo Duterte is accused of 'murder as a crime against humanity'

Duterte not in courtroom for first ICC drug war hearing

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has failed to attend in person at the International Criminal Court at the opening of the crimes against humanity hearing over his deadly crackdown on narcotics.

World • 14 Mar

Rodrigo Duterte faces a charge of 'the crime against humanity of murder', according to the ICC

ICC confirms Duterte arrest warrant

The International Criminal Court confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant against former Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity during his deadly war on drugs.

World • 11 Mar

An alleged drug dealer is captured by policemen after a drug buy-bust operation on a slum area in Manila in September 2017

Philippines will not cooperate with ICC drug war probe

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court's probe into the country's drug war, his lawyer has said, after its judges found the crackdown could be a crime against humanity.

World • 16 Sep 21

Maria Ressa waves to journalists following her conviction

Duterte-critic journalist convicted in cyber libel case

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa has been convicted of cyber libel and faces up to six years behind bars in a case that watchdogs say marks a dangerous erosion of press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte.

World • 15 Jun 20

Police ordered to arrest people vaping in public

Arrests ordered over Philippine vaping ban

Just hours after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced he would ban e-cigarette use, police were ordered to begin arresting people caught vaping in public and to confiscate the devices.

World • 20 Nov 19

The recent incidents have intensified speculation about President Duterte's capacity to lead

Duterte's ability to lead questioned over health issues

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that life is taking its "toll on my health", as speculation swirls over the 74-year-old's prolonged absences from the public eye.

World • 17 Nov 19

Antonio Halili (wearing glasses) pictured in 2016

Philippine mayor on Duterte's 'narco-list' shot dead

A Philippine mayor on President Rodrigo Duterte's list of allegedly narcotics-linked officials was shot dead by a "sniper" in a daylight attack at a town ceremony, police said.

Asia • 02 Jul 18

Boracay is a destination hotspot for tourists

Duterte orders shutdown of 'cesspool' tourist island

A decision by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to shut the holiday hotspot of Boracay, which he has called a "cesspool", prompted airlines to cut flights and hotels prepared for cancellations.

Environment • 05 Apr 18

Outspoken Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines' Duterte moves to quit international court

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is pulling the Philippines out of the treaty underpinning the International Criminal Court, which is examining his deadly drug war.

World • 14 Mar 18

Trump highlights 'great relationship' with Duterte

US President Donald Trump has said he has a "great relationship" with his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte.

World • 13 Nov 17

Rodrigo Duterte's violent crackdown on crime has sparked protests

Defence chief says martial law possible in Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may declare nationwide martial law next week if threatened massive protests by communists and other leftists against his rule turn violent or disrupt the country, his defence chief said this morning.

World • 15 Sep 17

Rodrigo Duterte has implemented a strict anti-drug policy

Philippine leader cuts budget for rights agency to €17

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's critics and allies in the Senate have vowed to block a lower house move to slash the annual budget of a public-funded human rights agency opposed to his bloody war on drugs to just under €17.

World • 13 Sep 17

Duterte says there may have been abuses in war on drugs

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said there could have been abuses in his government's war on drugs and ordered the police to take custody of officers who were involved in the killing of a high-school student last week.

Rodrigo Duterte • 21 Aug 17

Relatives protest against extra judicial killings in the Philippines

Catholic Church hits out at Rodrigo Duterte's drugs war

The head of the Philippines' powerful Catholic Church has called for an end to the "waste of human lives" following a brutal week in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war in which a 17-year-old boy was among dozens killed.

Rodrigo Duterte • 20 Aug 17

Philippine policemen check the belongings of residents fleeing Marawi

Philippine leader may impose nationwide martial law

Thousands of civilians have fled fighting in the Philippines as troops sought to contain militants linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group who took over large parts of a city, set buildings ablaze and took hostages.

World • 24 May 17

Thousands of supporters cheer during a vigil rally in Manila last week in support of President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign

Philippines moves towards re-introducing death penalty

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign to bring back the death penalty for drug-related crimes has cleared a major hurdle, with supporters backing it in congress, though critics have denounced the plans as "inhumane".

News • 02 Mar 17

Rodrigo Duterte said the US should not treat the Philippines 'like a dog with a leash'

Duterte warns US over military agreement

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has again criticised the United States, saying it could forget a bilateral defence deal if he stayed in power long enough.

News • 25 Oct 16

Rodrigo Duterte has rejected criticism and accused Western governments of hypocrisy

Germany criticises Duterte's Hitler comparison

The German government has told the Philippine ambassador that comments by President Rodrigo Duterte likening his deadly crime war to Hitler's efforts to exterminate Jews were "unacceptable".

World • 30 Sep 16

Philippine police SWAT personnel carry out a search of residences in Pasig City, Manila

Obama cancels meeting after Duterte insult

US President Barack Obama has cancelled what would have been his first meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, after Mr Duterte described Mr Obama in vulgar terms, a White House spokesman said tonight.

News • 06 Sep 16

The president said he may even look to set up another international organisation

President of Philippines threatens UN withdrawal

President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations, as he launched another profanity-laced tirade against the organisation for criticising his bloody war on crime.

News • 21 Aug 16

Jennilyn Olayres grieves for her partner Michael Siaron after he was found dead in Manila with a cardboard poster on his body saying 'drug pusher'

Philippines president stands by drugs crackdown

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his government is willing to face any inquiry into the deaths of hundreds of suspected drug dealers and users as human rights groups express alarm over extrajudicial killings.

News • 17 Aug 16

Activists march in Manila to show support for Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte sworn in as Philippines' president

Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as the Philippines' 16th president, saying he would wage a "relentless" and "sustained" battle against crime and warned officials that he would not tolerate corruption.

News • 30 Jun 16

Rodrigo Duterte said: 'If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you'

Filipino leader urges public to kill drug dealers

Philippines' president elect Rodrigo Duterte has urged the public to join his anti-crime crackdown, offering people huge bounties for killing drug dealers.

News • 05 Jun 16

Rodrigo Duterte also said he would give security forces "shoot-to-kill" orders

Duterte vows to bring back the death penalty

Philippines' president-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed today to reintroduce capital punishment and give security forces "shoot-to-kill" orders.

News • 15 May 16

Rodrigo Duterte is expected to take office on 30 June

President-elect plans major reforms in Philippines

The Philippines' president-elect, controversial city mayor Rodrigo Duterte, announced plans this morning for an overhaul of the country's system of government.

World • 10 May 16

Rodrigo Duterte