Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday and flown to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity. This move comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant, accusing Duterte of overseeing deadly anti-drug operations during his presidency that allegedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
Duterte, who is now 79 years old, was taken into custody at the Manila international airport shortly after returning from a trip to Hong Kong with his family. In a late-night news conference, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest, stating that it was in line with the Philippines’ obligations as a member of Interpol.
The ICC’s warrant stems from investigations into mass killings that occurred during Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao and later as president. Human rights organizations estimate that the death toll from these drug crackdowns could be as high as 30,000, while the Philippine police have reported around 6,000 deaths.
As he was escorted onto the plane, Duterte appeared frail, using a cane and briefly saying goodbye to aides and supporters who were visibly upset. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, expressed her outrage at the Marcos administration for cooperating with a foreign court, arguing that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the Philippines.
Duterte’s arrest has sparked mixed reactions. While many families of victims from his anti-drug campaign celebrated the development, calling it a long-awaited day for justice, Duterte’s supporters and allies claimed it violated his constitutional rights. They protested at the airport, demanding to know the legal basis for his detention.
The ICC’s investigation focuses on killings that occurred between November 2011 and March 2019. The court stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the attacks on victims were widespread and systematic. They emphasized that Duterte’s arrest was necessary to ensure he appears before the court and to protect witnesses and victims involved in the case.
Duterte’s administration had previously attempted to block the ICC’s investigation, claiming that Philippine authorities were already addressing the allegations. However, the ICC ruled in 2023 that the investigation could continue.
Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, has opted not to rejoin the ICC but indicated that his administration would cooperate with the court if it requested assistance in apprehending Duterte. As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how this unprecedented case will impact the Philippines and its legal landscape.