Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his brutal anti-drugs crackdown, has registered to run for mayor of his southern home city. Despite facing scrutiny over his administration's handling of the drug problem, Duterte filed his candidacy in Davao city, where he previously served as mayor for two decades before becoming president in 2016.
During his presidency, Duterte oversaw a massive police-enforced crackdown against illegal drugs, resulting in the deaths of over 6,000 individuals, mostly poor drug suspects. Human rights groups argue that the actual death toll is higher, including unsolved killings possibly linked to police operations.
Despite his controversial approach to combating drugs, Duterte acknowledged that the issue persisted and expressed regret for underestimating its scale. He withdrew the Philippines from the International Criminal Court in 2019, a move criticized as an attempt to avoid accountability for alleged crimes against humanity.
While Duterte initially announced his retirement from politics after his presidential term ended in 2022, he has now decided to run for mayor with his son as vice-mayor. His daughter, Sara Duterte, had also considered a Senate run but has since distanced herself from the current administration led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marcos, Duterte's successor, has faced criticism from the former president, who accused him of being a weak leader and a drug addict. The political landscape in the Philippines is evolving, with alliances shifting and tensions rising over issues such as territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
Despite Duterte's enduring popularity among some segments of the population, his return to politics is expected to face opposition from human rights groups and political rivals. The upcoming mid-term elections will be closely watched as the Philippines navigates a complex political environment shaped by competing interests and shifting alliances.
