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.
Despite this development, he emphasised that Asean must adhere to its long-standing principle of non-interference.
"Asean operates within an international legal framework. This was an arrest warrant issued by Interpol and properly executed.
"As a regional bloc, Asean should stay on the sidelines, observe, and allow the legal process to take its course," he said in an interview on Bernama TV’s programme BERNAMA World, titled ‘Duterte's Arrest and Its Ripple Effects’, held here in KL.
As the Philippines prepares to host Asean next year, Phar said stability is crucial for the country to effectively manage its responsibilities.
He cautioned that any political instability in Manila could undermine ASEAN’s credibility and its ability to convene global leaders.
"The Philippines must be completely stable and capable of absorbing all the responsibilities transferred from Malaysia. If Manila cannot even assure the safety and security of logistical arrangements, then it will face significant challenges," he said.
On the broader geopolitical impact, Phar noted that Duterte’s arrest could shift power dynamics between Manila, Beijing, and Washington.
He pointed out that China has questioned the ICC’s impartiality, particularly in light of its handling of cases related to Gaza, while the US stance remains uncertain due to its own unpredictable foreign policy.
"The official statement from China is that the ICC must examine itself objectively before issuing any arrest warrant.
"This is because China was one of the petitioners to elevate the case of Gaza and is not entirely satisfied with the ICC’s performance as an objective enforcer of international law and human rights.
"China has reason to suspect that this is actually more political than it appears, because President Duterte was once a very pro-China leader in the Philippines, unlike President Bongbong Marcos (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.)," he said. - Bernama
