Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by police at Manila airport on Monday after arriving from Hong Kong, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The warrant accuses Duterte of crimes against humanity related to his deadly "war on drugs."
Duterte, 79, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, led a controversial anti-drugs campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths, many attributed to police or unidentified assailants. Despite widespread criticism from human rights groups, Duterte maintained his stance, once claiming he was prepared to face prison.
The ICC launched its investigation into the drug war in 2021, covering crimes committed from 2011, when Duterte was mayor of Davao, until 2019, before the Philippines formally withdrew from the court. However, the ICC asserts that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal.
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) hailed Duterte's arrest as a “historic moment.” ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy emphasized, “Today, the moral universe has bent towards justice. Duterte's arrest marks the beginning of accountability for the mass killings that defined his brutal rule.”
However, Duterte’s former spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, condemned the arrest, calling it "unlawful," citing the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC. Duterte’s camp has denied the allegations of crimes committed during the drug crackdown.
Duterte, who was in Hong Kong to campaign for his senatorial slate in the upcoming May 12 elections, appeared in public using a cane. Authorities have stated that he is in good health and is being attended to by government doctors.
During his presidency, Duterte's "war on drugs" was marked by extreme rhetoric, including a controversial statement comparing drug addicts to Jews killed in the Holocaust. He ordered security forces to kill drug suspects, with human rights groups estimating that over 6,000 individuals were killed, though some reports suggest the number could be higher.
Despite international backlash, the anti-drug campaign remained popular locally, with a survey revealing that 82% of Philippine citizens supported President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs.
In recent years, Duterte’s relationship with the current Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos, has deteriorated, and it remains unclear whether Marcos would cooperate with the ICC’s request for extradition.
The ICC investigation continues, despite Duterte’s attempts to block the proceedings. The case has sparked debates over the Philippines' engagement with the international court and its accountability for human rights violations.
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