Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by police at Manila International Airport following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. This was confirmed in a statement by the AFP news agency, citing the presidential office.

Why Was Duterte Arrested?

The International Criminal Court is investigating Duterte for potential crimes linked to his anti-drug operations during his presidency.

Human rights organizations report that thousands of people, including those with no proven ties to drug trafficking, were extrajudicially executed under Duterte’s so-called "war on drugs".

Duterte has repeatedly called for violent action against drug dealers and even admitted to personally killing three people. His administration’s crackdown on drug-related crimes led to widespread extrajudicial killings, drawing severe criticism from the international community.

How Was Duterte Arrested?

Sources state that Interpol in Manila received an official copy of the ICC arrest warrant and subsequently detained Duterte at Manila International Airport.

The former president was returning from Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific flight when he was taken into custody.

Philippine Government and Lawyers React

Duterte’s lawyers have called the arrest illegal, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Philippine authorities had prepared in advance, deploying large numbers of security personnel to airports and transportation hubs to ensure his capture.

The Philippines’ Relationship with the ICC

During Duterte’s presidency, the Philippines withdrew from the International Criminal Court in 2019. However, the ICC has maintained jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal, including extrajudicial killings in Davao City, where Duterte previously served as mayor.

The ICC’s formal investigation began in September 2021, but was paused after the Philippine government promised to review hundreds of drug-related cases internally.

However, in July 2023, a panel of five ICC judges rejected the Philippine government’s appeal against the investigation, leading to the case’s reopening.

What’s Next for Duterte?

Duterte’s fate remains uncertain. The legal process is still ongoing, and it is unclear whether the Philippine government will hand him over to the ICC for trial.

This arrest could trigger significant political and legal changes in the Philippines, as Duterte remains a highly influential figure in the country.

Duterte’s prosecution at the International Criminal Court could mark a historic turning point for Philippine politics and international justice. The world is closely watching how this case unfolds. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”