Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested Following ICC Warrant for Crimes Against Humanity
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by authorities on Tuesday upon his arrival in Manila, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The warrant accuses Duterte of crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency.
Duterte, 79, was taken into custody at Manila’s main airport after returning from Hong Kong. His arrest follows an official notification received by Interpol’s Manila office on Tuesday morning, confirming the ICC warrant. The Presidential Communications Office released a statement confirming his detention, stating that the former president is currently under the custody of Philippine authorities.
A video posted by Duterte’s daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, showed him in custody, questioning the basis of his arrest.
“What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?” he asked.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte’s drug war, which began when he assumed the presidency in 2016. According to official police records, more than 6,000 individuals were killed during anti-drug operations. However, human rights organizations and independent monitors estimate the actual number of extrajudicial killings could be significantly higher, potentially reaching tens of thousands.
The victims, largely young men from impoverished communities, were often gunned down in police raids or by unknown assailants, with many cases showing signs of summary executions. Duterte has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, though he has publicly encouraged law enforcement to use lethal force against suspects who resisted arrest.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, arguing that the court no longer had jurisdiction over the country. However, under ICC rules, the court retains authority to investigate crimes committed while a nation was still a member—in this case, from 2016 to 2019.
The arrest has triggered mixed reactions. Duterte’s former spokesperson, Harry Roque, condemned the move, calling it “unlawful” given the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC. Meanwhile, human rights organizations welcomed the development, describing it as a significant step toward accountability for the thousands of lives lost in the drug war.
“Duterte’s detention is a critical moment for justice in the Philippines,” said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “It sends a strong message that no one is above the law.”
The arrest also has political ramifications. Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, who currently serves as vice president, has been embroiled in political tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her father’s former ally. While Marcos initially refused to cooperate with the ICC, he later indicated that his administration would abide by international law, including potential extradition requests.
It remains unclear whether Duterte will be extradited to The Hague to face trial before the ICC. The Philippine government has yet to announce its official position on the matter.
Duterte, who had been in Hong Kong campaigning for the upcoming midterm elections, remains a highly influential political figure. His arrest is expected to intensify political divisions within the country, particularly ahead of the 2028 presidential election, where Sara Duterte is considered a strong contender.
CNN, BBC, and the Guardian contributed to this report.
