Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing him of crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs.”
The 79-year-old was taken into custody by Philippine authorities shortly after arriving at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong.
Local media reports indicate that Duterte was escorted onto a private jet stationed on the airport tarmac. His daughter, Veronica Duterte, claimed that he was being “forcibly” transported to The Hague in the Netherlands, where the ICC is headquartered. A press conference from the presidential palace is anticipated to address the unfolding situation.
Throughout his tenure as president from 2016 to 2022, and previously as mayor of Davao City, Duterte was unapologetic about his aggressive anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Upon his arrest, he questioned the legitimacy of the ICC’s warrant, stating in a video posted by his daughter: “What crime have I committed?” He further asserted, “If I committed a sin, prosecute me in Philippine courts, with Filipino judges, and I will allow myself to be jailed in my own nation.”
In response to the arrest, Duterte’s legal team filed a petition with the Philippine Supreme Court, urging non-compliance with the ICC’s warrant. The petition requested the court to prevent any enforcement of ICC-issued warrants and to suspend all forms of cooperation with the ICC while the case is pending. Duterte’s legal argument hinges on the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, which he claims nullifies the court’s jurisdiction over the country and its citizens. However, the ICC maintains that it retains authority over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal.
Supporters of the former president gathered at the gates of Villamor Air Base, located within the airport complex, where Duterte was reportedly taken following his arrest. State media reported that over 370 police officers were deployed to key locations to maintain order. While Duterte’s supporters criticized the arrest, human rights activists hailed it as a “historic moment” for the victims of his drug war and their families.
Peter Murphy, chairman of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), remarked, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but today, it has bent towards justice. Duterte’s arrest is the beginning of accountability for the mass killings that defined his brutal rule.”
Prior to his arrest, Duterte had been in Hong Kong to campaign for the upcoming mid-term elections on May 12, where he intended to run for mayor of Davao City once again. Footage broadcasted on local television showed him walking out of the airport using a cane. Authorities have stated that he is in “good health” and is receiving care from government medical personnel.
Before departing Hong Kong, Duterte addressed a gathering of Filipino expatriates, saying, “What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people.”
Political analysts suggest that Duterte’s arrest signifies the “beginning of a new chapter in Philippine history.” Richard Heydarian, a Filipino political scientist, commented, “This is about rule of law and human rights.” He noted that authorities acted promptly to arrest Duterte at the airport, possibly to prevent potential political unrest.
