Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and taken into custody on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to his controversial “war on drugs.” Duterte was apprehended at Manila’s main airport upon his return from Hong Kong on Tuesday, following the execution of an Interpol arrest warrant. The office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest in an official statement, marking a historic development in the ongoing international legal battle over Duterte’s administration.
The ICC has accused Duterte of crimes against humanity for his administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign, which led to the deaths of thousands of Filipinos. Human rights groups allege that Philippine police and vigilantes carried out widespread extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s directive, targeting unarmed drug suspects without due process. The former president has consistently denied these accusations, insisting that his policies were necessary to combat rampant drug-related crime.
Duterte’s arrest follows years of defiance against the ICC. In 2019, he unilaterally withdrew the Philippines from the court’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, arguing that the ICC had no jurisdiction over him or his country. Since then, he has repeatedly taunted the court, refusing to recognize its authority and challenging international efforts to hold him accountable. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal, the ICC has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a signatory to the treaty.
Following his detention, Duterte reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the charges, asking, “What is the crime that I committed?” His legal team is expected to challenge the arrest, arguing that the ICC has no authority over him as a former head of state and that the charges are politically motivated. Duterte’s supporters, including some high-profile political allies, have denounced the arrest, calling it an attack on Philippine sovereignty.
The arrest has sparked mixed reactions both domestically and internationally. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have welcomed the development, viewing it as a long-overdue step toward justice for victims of the drug war. However, Duterte’s political allies and loyalists have condemned the move, warning that it could destabilize the country’s political landscape.
The ICC has stated that it will move forward with its investigation into Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity, seeking accountability for the thousands of deaths attributed to his administration’s anti-drug operations. If convicted, Duterte could face life imprisonment, although legal proceedings at the ICC are often lengthy and complex.
As Duterte remains in custody, the Philippines faces a critical moment in its legal and political history. President Marcos Jr. has so far refrained from making direct comments on whether his administration will cooperate fully with the ICC. His government’s next steps will be closely watched as the international community pressures Manila to uphold its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
