Philippines' former president Rodrigo Duterte's supporters gather for a prayer rally at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on March 15, 2025, as he faces crimes against humanity charges over his deadly crackdown on narcotics. Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte failed to attend in person an initial hearing at the International Criminal Court on March 14. The 79-year-old, the first ex-Asian head of state charged by the ICC, followed by videolink during a short hearing to inform him of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. -- Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Asean should uphold its principle of neutrality and allow legal due process to unfold following the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said an expert.
Professor of Asean Studies at the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Prof Dr Phar Kim Beng, said the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) move has placed Asean in an unprecedented position, as no South-East Asian leader has ever been arrested and extradited to The Hague.
