The Global Story A reckoning for Duterte
Mar 12, 2025
Jonathan Head, BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, dives into the controversial legacy of Rodrigo Duterte, the former Philippine president now facing charges from the International Criminal Court. They discuss the dark appeal of Duterte's harsh anti-drug policies, which resonated with many amidst poverty and crime. The conversation reveals the intricacies of his arrest and its implications for political dynamics in the Philippines, shedding light on a polarized society grappling with justice and the human cost of Duterte's brutal campaigns.
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Duterte's Rise and Rhetoric
- Rodrigo Duterte, nicknamed "The Punisher", brought a brutal anti-crime approach to national politics.
- His rhetoric involved graphic threats of violence against criminals, resonating with a public desire for order.
Duterte's Populist Appeal
- Duterte's appeal stemmed from Filipinos' frustration with their country's lagging development and ineffective governance.
- His tough stance on crime resonated with a growing middle class seeking order and progress.
Coerced Assassin
- Jonathan Head interviewed a woman coerced into becoming an assassin by police.
- Her husband, imprisoned for murder, was released on the condition that both he and his wife carried out killings.