Police arrested Duterte at Manila airport soon after he landed from Hong Kong. Getty Images
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested following an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant accuses him of crimes against humanity for his controversial anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths.
Duterte was taken into custody at Manila airport upon returning from Hong Kong, where he had been campaigning for his political allies ahead of the May 12 mid-term elections. The 79-year-old, known for his tough stance on crime, had previously stated he was prepared for prison if arrested.
Mixed Reactions to Duterte’s Arrest
Human rights groups welcomed the arrest, calling it a step toward justice. Peter Murphy, Chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, said, "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."
However, Duterte’s former spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, condemned the arrest, calling it illegal. He argued that the Philippines had withdrawn from the ICC, meaning the court had no jurisdiction. The ICC responded by clarifying that it retained authority over crimes committed before the country officially left the court in 2019.
The Deadly ‘War on Drugs’
Duterte rose to power in 2016, promising to eradicate crime through a harsh crackdown on illegal drugs. His administration encouraged police and security forces to eliminate drug suspects, resulting in over 6,000 confirmed deaths. However, human rights groups estimate the actual number is much higher.
Critics claim the campaign allowed extrajudicial killings and police abuse, with many victims allegedly executed without proper investigations. Reports also suggest that shadowy "death squads" operated under his leadership, targeting individuals suspected of drug involvement.
Duterte, who previously served as mayor of Davao City, has repeatedly denied these allegations. However, his past remarks added to the controversy. Early in his presidency, he infamously said, "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts in the Philippines. I’d be happy to slaughter them."
ICC Investigation and Political Impact
The ICC began investigating Duterte’s drug war in 2016 and formally launched a probe in 2021. The case covers incidents from November 2011—when Duterte was still a city mayor—until March 2019. Despite the Philippine government’s attempts to block the probe, the ICC ruled that it had enough evidence to proceed.
Duterte's arrest could impact the country's political landscape, particularly his family’s influence. His daughter, Sara Duterte, is currently the vice president and is widely seen as a strong contender for the 2028 presidential race.
The Duterte family’s once-powerful alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also fallen apart in recent months. Despite running together in 2022 and winning by a landslide, tensions between the two camps have become increasingly visible.
For now, Duterte remains in custody under medical supervision, with authorities confirming he is in stable health. The legal battle over his role in the drug war is far from over, but his arrest marks a significant moment in Philippine history.
