Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday after returning from Hong Kong, following an order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to The Associated Press, the arrest was carried out by Philippine authorities in response to an ICC request relayed through Interpol.
The case revolves around allegations of crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s controversial war on drugs during his presidency.
The ICC’s investigation focuses on the large-scale killings that took place under Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign from 2016 to 2022.
Official police reports state that over 7,000 people died in law enforcement operations, though human rights organizations argue the number could exceed 30,000, with many victims—including minors—allegedly executed without due process.
Upon his arrival in Manila, authorities formally notified Duterte of the ICC’s arrest warrant.
“The prosecutor general served the ICC notification to the former president for crimes against humanity. He is now in custody,” the government stated.
Duterte, 79, questioned the legality of his detention. In a video posted by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, he challenged officials to clarify the charges against him.
“What law did I break? What crime have I committed? Explain why I am being detained against my will,” he said.
During a speech in Hong Kong just days before his arrest, Duterte defended his actions, insisting that he had acted in the best interests of the Filipino people.
Throughout his presidency, he had openly encouraged law enforcement to “shoot and kill” suspected drug offenders, arguing that his harsh policies were necessary for national security.
Human Rights Watch hailed Duterte’s arrest as a major step toward accountability. Bryony Lau, the organization’s deputy Asia director, emphasized the significance of the moment: “This could bring victims and their families closer to justice and sends a strong message that no leader is above the law.
The Marcos administration should cooperate fully and ensure his swift transfer to the ICC.”
The ICC launched its inquiry into Duterte’s drug war in 2018, even after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.
The probe also extends to his tenure as mayor of Davao, where extrajudicial killings were reportedly widespread.
Duterte had long resisted the ICC’s authority, even threatening to arrest former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda if she attempted to investigate his administration.
Although Bensouda stepped down in 2021, her successor, Karim Khan, has continued the legal proceedings.
While Duterte’s allies argue that the Philippines is no longer under ICC jurisdiction, legal experts assert that crimes committed before the country’s withdrawal remain prosecutable.
His arrest is seen as a milestone for human rights advocates and families seeking justice for drug war victims.