Manila, March 11 — Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday upon landing at Manila’s international airport at the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The arrest marks a significant step in the ICC’s investigation into thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs” campaign.
According to a statement from the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Interpol Manila received the official arrest warrant from the ICC early Tuesday morning. Duterte is currently in the custody of Philippine authorities at Villamor Air Base in Manila.
Duterte’s Reaction
A video posted on Instagram Stories by Duterte’s daughter, Veronica Duterte, showed the former leader questioning the grounds for his arrest.
“What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?” Duterte said. “I was brought here not of my own volition. It is somebody else’s doing. You have to answer now for the deprivation of liberty.”
The “War on Drugs” and ICC Investigation
The arrest follows years of tension between Duterte and the ICC. Duterte, 79, has long defied the court’s authority, withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC’s founding treaty in 2019 after the court opened a probe into alleged human rights violations during his administration.
Duterte’s “war on drugs” was the cornerstone of his presidency after he won the 2016 election. The campaign, which Duterte claimed was aimed at eradicating drug-related crime, resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug dealers and users.
According to official police data, around 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations. However, human rights groups and ICC prosecutors estimate that the real death toll could be between 12,000 and 30,000, with many victims allegedly executed without trial.
Despite mounting international criticism, Duterte repeatedly defended the crackdown. He insisted that police acted in self-defense and denied ordering any unlawful killings.
Controversial Statements
Throughout his presidency, Duterte made several inflammatory remarks about the drug war and extrajudicial killings:
- In 2016, Duterte urged citizens to kill drug addicts themselves, claiming that the Philippines’ drug problem was spiraling out of control.
- In September 2016, he compared himself to Adolf Hitler, saying, “Hitler massacred three million Jews… I’d be happy to slaughter [three million] drug addicts.”
- In December 2016, Duterte admitted to personally killing suspects while serving as mayor of Davao City to set an example for police officers.
International Pressure and Legal Battle
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned Duterte’s policies and his aggressive rhetoric. The European Union also criticized his administration for human rights violations.
Duterte had previously dismissed the ICC’s authority, saying, “I don’t give a damn about being prosecuted in the ICC… It would be my pleasure to go to prison for my country.”
The Philippines had refused to cooperate with the ICC probe until last year when it sought more time to resolve the legal issues raised by the court. However, the ICC moved forward with its investigation, resulting in Duterte’s arrest.
Legal experts suggest that Duterte could face charges of crimes against humanity if the ICC finds sufficient evidence linking him to systematic extrajudicial killings. Duterte’s legal team has yet to issue a formal statement, but sources suggest they are preparing to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over the matter. Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr.’s government has pledged to uphold the rule of law while maintaining national security and stability. The case is expected to draw global attention as the ICC proceeds with its investigation into Duterte’s administration.
