A Philippine court has dropped drugs charges against a prominent critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial 'war on drugs.' The former senator, Leila De Lima, who had been a vocal opponent of Duterte's anti-drug campaign, was acquitted of the final charge on Monday, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle that had seen her held in police custody for over six years.
The charges against De Lima stemmed from allegations made by Duterte that she had received payoffs from convicted drug gangs to finance her 2016 senatorial bid. Throughout Duterte's presidency from 2016 to 2022, more than 6,000 individuals were killed in anti-drug operations, according to police data. Critics, including human rights activists, have raised concerns about the extrajudicial killings that occurred during Duterte's tenure, particularly in impoverished areas of the country.
De Lima's supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Muntinlupa city, celebrating her acquittal with chants of 'Leila is free.' Speaking to reporters after the court's decision, De Lima held Duterte accountable for the injustices faced by Filipinos during his administration. She emphasized that her own experience of unjust imprisonment was just one example of the broader human rights violations that occurred under Duterte's leadership.
Duterte, known for his controversial statements and actions, has defended the killings of drug suspects as lawful, particularly when carried out by law enforcement in self-defense. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating Duterte's drug war, despite opposition from the Philippine government. The ICC's rejection of the government's appeal to block the investigation means that Duterte could potentially face international scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses committed during his presidency.
While the Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC under Duterte's administration, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the country's membership period. The ongoing ICC probe has faced criticism from Duterte's allies, who view it as an unjust interference in the country's internal affairs.
