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Mass protests in Manila on September 21 highlight public outrage over corruption linked to ghost flood-control projects. Demonstrations, coinciding with the anniversary of martial law, demand accountability amid revelations of political misconduct and government investigations. Violence and conflicting narratives have marked the events, with authorities and protesters at odds.
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On September 23, 2025, the ICC publicly released a redacted charge sheet accusing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity involving 76 murders linked to his anti-drug campaign from 2013 to 2018. Duterte, detained in The Hague since March, faces three counts covering killings during his mayoralty and presidency. A court hearing was postponed pending assessment of his fitness for trial.
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China announced the creation of a marine reserve at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory with the Philippines, citing ecological protection. The move has heightened regional tensions, with the Philippines protesting and the US supporting Manila amid recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
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The ICC is maintaining its investigation into Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity, despite a recent disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan over perceived bias linked to his prior representation of victims. The case involves charges related to Duterte's anti-drugs campaign, with ongoing legal proceedings and detention in The Hague.
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On October 12, 2025, a Chinese coast guard ship fired a water cannon and rammed the Philippine fisheries vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine crew was unharmed, but the vessel sustained minor damage. Both sides accuse each other of illegal incursions amid ongoing territorial disputes.
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ICC judges in The Hague have upheld jurisdiction over Duterte's case, allowing the investigation into alleged crimes committed during his presidency to proceed. Duterte's legal team challenged the court's authority, citing his country's withdrawal from the ICC, but the challenge was rejected. Duterte faces charges related to mass killings during his war on drugs.
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Since September, the US has conducted at least 18 strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 60 people. The operations, authorized by President Trump, aim to target narcotics but face legal and international criticism for potential extrajudicial killings.
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Protests erupted across Manila over a corruption scandal involving flood control projects, with allegations of kickbacks, substandard infrastructure, and political cover-ups. Authorities have arrested multiple suspects, including former lawmakers and construction executives, amid calls for accountability. The scandal has intensified political tensions and public outrage, with ongoing investigations and protests.
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Philippine President Marcos faces renewed scrutiny amid allegations from his sister Imee of drug use and ongoing corruption investigations into flood-control projects. Marcos dismisses the claims, which are linked to a broader anti-corruption drive and public protests over infrastructure scandals.
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The ICC faces internal and external pressures as US sanctions target staff, including the acting prosecutor Karim Niang, amid ongoing investigations into US and Israeli officials. The court's independence is reaffirmed, but member withdrawals and delays in internal probes threaten its future. The 24th Assembly is ongoing today.
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Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a senior Libyan prison official, appeared before the ICC in The Hague on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and sexual violence at Mitiga prison between 2015 and 2020. His arrest marks a significant step in accountability for Libya's wartime abuses.
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A 76-year-old man, Ali Muhammad Abd–Al-Rahman, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of 27 war crimes, including mass executions and brutal killings, committed in 2003-2004. The sentencing followed a hearing where prosecutors emphasized his deliberate and enthusiastic involvement in these crimes.