Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested upon his arrival from Hong Kong on Thursday, following an order from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The arrest is tied to an ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during his controversial "war on drugs," which resulted in thousands of deaths during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
The Philippine government confirmed the arrest in a statement, noting that Duterte was taken into custody by local police acting on the ICC's directive. The ICC has been investigating the widespread killings that occurred under Duterte's anti-drug campaign, though the specific charges against him have not yet been disclosed.
Duterte's Controversial Legacy
Duterte, who previously served as mayor of Davao City—one of the Philippines' largest urban centers—rose to national prominence with his hardline stance against illegal drugs. His presidency was defined by the brutal crackdown, which he claimed was necessary to rid the country of narcotics. Official police figures state that 6,200 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations, often described as shootouts. However, human rights groups and activists argue that the actual death toll is far higher, estimating that up to 30,000 people, including many slum-dwelling drug users, may have been killed by police or unidentified assailants.
Duterte has consistently defended his policies, asserting that he instructed police to use lethal force only in self-defense. In a video posted on Instagram by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, the former president questioned the legality of his arrest. "What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?" he said, speaking from Manila's Villamor Air Base, where he is being held. "I was brought here not of my own volition, it is somebody else's. You have to answer now for the deprivation of liberty."
Legal and Political Fallout
The arrest has sparked significant controversy in the Philippines. Duterte's allies, including former legal counsel Salvador Panelo, have denounced the ICC's actions as unlawful, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction over the country. "The ICC arrest warrant comes from a spurious source, the ICC, which has no jurisdiction over the Philippines," Panelo said in a statement. He also claimed that Duterte was denied legal representation during the arrest.
The situation escalated at the airport, where Duterte's lawyers, aides, and a doctor were reportedly prevented from approaching him after he was taken into custody. Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, condemned the arrest as a violation of the former president's constitutional rights.
If extradited to The Hague, Duterte could become the first former head of state from Asia to stand trial at the ICC. The court's prosecutor has alleged that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed during his anti-drug campaign, either by police or unidentified individuals.
The Philippine government has not yet clarified the next steps in the legal process, leaving Duterte's future uncertain as the international community watches closely.