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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested by ICC
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity over his brutal war on drugs. Human rights groups hail it as a victory for justice.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-11
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested by ICC

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, facing allegations of crimes against humanity related to his violent anti-drug campaign.

Duterte Taken into Custody

According to the Philippine government, Duterte was taken into custody at Manila airport on Tuesday upon his return from Hong Kong. The arrest was made after Interpol relayed the ICC’s request.

📌 Key Details:
✔ Suspect: Rodrigo Duterte (Former Philippine President)
✔ Charges: Crimes against humanity during anti-drug operations (2016-2022)
✔ Arrest Location: Manila Airport, upon return from Hong Kong
✔ Legal Battle: Duterte questions the legality of his arrest

📢 Government Statement:
“Upon his arrival, the prosecutor general served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant to the former president for crimes against humanity. He’s now in the custody of authorities.”

Duterte’s Response

In a video uploaded by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, the former president questioned the arrest’s legality:

🗣️ Duterte:

  • “What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?”
  • “Explain to me now the legal basis for my being here as apparently I was brought here not of my own volition.”

Background: Duterte’s Deadly War on Drugs

During Duterte’s presidency (2016-2022), his administration launched a brutal anti-drug crackdown, instructing law enforcement to “shoot and kill” suspects.

📌 Statistics on the Anti-Drug Campaign:
✔ Official government tally: 7,000+ killed in police operations
✔ Human rights groups’ estimate: Over 30,000 deaths, including extrajudicial killings
✔ Victims included: Local officials, lawyers, judges, and children with no drug ties

Rights organizations and families of victims have long accused Duterte of sanctioning extrajudicial killings, leading to the ICC’s 2018 investigation.

ICC’s Case Against Duterte

The ICC’s investigation covers crimes between 2016 and 2019, when Duterte initiated the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.

However, the ICC argues that Duterte’s withdrawal does not nullify accountability for crimes committed before it took effect.

🚨 Duterte's Retaliation Against the ICC:

  • Ordered Manila’s withdrawal from the ICC
  • Threatened to arrest ICC prosecutors if they entered the Philippines
  • Used racially charged language against former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

Human Rights Groups Welcome Arrest

🗣️ Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director, Human Rights Watch:
“Duterte’s arrest is a critical step for accountability. His victims and their families deserve justice. The Marcos government must swiftly surrender him to the ICC.”

What’s Next?

✔ Philippine authorities must decide whether to surrender Duterte to The Hague.
✔ International pressure may intensify, as the ICC case progresses.
✔ Legal battles expected from Duterte’s legal team.

Despite Manila’s withdrawal from the ICC, the arrest sets a precedent that no leader is above the law.

 
Tagged:

ICC

HumanRights

JusticeForVictims

DuterteArrested

WarOnDrugs
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