Philippines ex-President arrested amid ICC arrest warrant
Duterte, 79, was detained upon landing at Manila’s international airport after returning from a campaign visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
Duterte, 79, was detained upon landing at Manila’s international airport after returning from a campaign visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday. Despite contesting his detention, he was swiftly placed on a chartered flight to The Hague, where the ICC is based. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the government's compliance with international legal obligations.
A Legacy of Bloodshed
Duterte’s tenure, spanning from 2016 to 2022, was marked by a brutal crackdown on drug-related offenses. Thousands of alleged drug dealers and users were killed, many without trial. While supporters viewed him as a crime-fighter, human rights organizations decried the campaign as a widespread violation of civil liberties.
President Marcos stated that Duterte would face charges specifically tied to his administration’s deadly anti-drug operations. "Interpol requested our cooperation, and we complied," Marcos told reporters. "This is what is expected of us on the international stage."
Political Divide Over Duterte’s Arrest
Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, accompanied him on his flight to The Hague, denouncing the arrest as politically motivated. The arrest has widened the rift between the Duterte and Marcos camps, whose alliance played a crucial role in the 2022 elections but has since soured due to diverging political ambitions.
Duterte, who has long defended his hardline policies, questioned the legitimacy of the ICC’s warrant. "What crime have I committed?" he asked in a video shared online by his daughter, Veronica Duterte. He insisted that any trial should take place in the Philippines, under Philippine law.
His legal team swiftly petitioned the country’s Supreme Court, arguing that the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 invalidated the court's jurisdiction. However, the ICC maintains that it retains authority over alleged crimes committed before the country's formal exit.
Public Reactions and Security Measures
Duterte’s arrest sparked protests and rallies. Supporters gathered outside the airport, expressing anger over what they see as an unjust move against a leader they believe made the country safer. "He did so much for the Philippines—now they treat him like a criminal," lamented one supporter.
Security forces deployed over 370 officers to key locations across the capital to prevent unrest. Meanwhile, human rights activists hailed the development as a landmark moment for justice. "This marks the beginning of accountability for Duterte’s bloody drug war," said Peter Murphy, chair of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines.
A Shift in Philippine Leadership?
Political analysts see Duterte’s arrest as a defining moment for the country. "This isn’t just about one man—it’s about upholding the rule of law," said political scientist Richard Heydarian. He noted that Marcos, who initially resisted ICC involvement, later shifted his stance as his rivalry with the Duterte camp intensified.
Duterte, a long-time mayor of Davao City before becoming president, built his reputation on tough rhetoric and promises to eradicate crime. His war on drugs led to thousands of extrajudicial killings, with critics arguing that it primarily targeted impoverished communities while allowing powerful drug lords to evade justice.
Despite global condemnation, Duterte remains widely popular, especially among Filipinos who credit him with cracking down on crime. His political influence persists through his daughter Sara, who is seen as a strong contender for the presidency in 2028.
What Comes Next?
The ICC’s case against Duterte is expected to be a lengthy legal battle, one that could reshape Philippine politics and its approach to human rights. While Duterte’s supporters fight for his release, his arrest signals a shift in the country’s political landscape—one where former strongmen may no longer be immune to international scrutiny.
As the legal proceedings unfold in The Hague, the Philippines watches, divided—some mourning the fall of a leader, others welcoming a long-overdue reckoning.
