Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested today upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The
warrant accuses Duterte of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial “war on drugs,” which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths during his tenure from 2016 to 2022.
Duterte, 79, was taken into custody by Philippine National Police shortly after stepping off a flight from Hong Kong.
The arrest marks a significant development in the ICC’s long-running investigation into the extrajudicial killings that characterized Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Rights groups have claimed that the campaign disproportionately targeted poor communities and led to widespread abuses, with estimates of fatalities ranging from 6,000 to over 30,000, depending on various reports.
The ICC’s investigation began in 2018, focusing on alleged systematic killings during Duterte’s presidency and earlier when he served as mayor of Davao City. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019
under Duterte’s orders, a move critics argued was an attempt to evade accountability. However, the ICC has maintained it retains jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed while the country was still a member.
Upon his arrest, Duterte reportedly questioned the charges, asking, “What crime have I committed?” according to witnesses at the scene. His legal team has called the arrest “unlawful,” arguing that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC renders the warrant invalid.Duterte has consistently defended his drug war policies, insisting they were necessary to protect the nation from the scourge of narcotics and denying any direct orders for unlawful killings.
The arrest comes amid strained relations between Duterte and current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has signaled a willingness to cooperate with the ICC in recent months. Marcos’ administration has not yet clarified whether Duterte will be extradited to The Hague, where the ICC is based, or if further legal proceedings will take place
domestically.
