Arrest Ordered for Former Philippine President Duterte Over Crimes Against Humanity

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.

During his presidency, Duterte launched a harsh anti-drug campaign resulting in the deaths of more than 6,000 people, as per police records. However, independent observers suggest the true number of extrajudicial killings might be significantly higher.

The 79-year-old was detained at Manila’s main airport after arriving from Hong Kong. The Interpol office in Manila confirmed receipt of the ICC’s arrest warrant earlier in the day, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

“Upon Duterte’s arrival, the Prosecutor General filed an ICC notification for his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity,” the official statement read, noting that Duterte is now in custody.

Duterte questioned the grounds for the warrant, asking, “What laws have I broken?” in a video his daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte posted online.

CNN has reached out to Interpol and the ICC for further comments.

Dubbed “Asia’s Trump” for his colorful and forceful approach, Duterte rose to power in 2016, vowing to combat drugs and dealers in the Southeast Asian country.

The severe crackdown claimed thousands of lives, largely targeting young males from poverty-stricken areas, targeted by both police and vigilante gunmen.

This led to the ICC investigating, alongside inquiries by both the House of Representatives and a separate Senate probe led by the current president’s cousin.

Despite Duterte withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member—from 2016 to 2019—even after withdrawal.

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, has suggested that Duterte may be handed over to the court, according to Reuters.

“Our law enforcement is prepared to follow legal protocols if the warrant is executed per Interpol’s request,” said Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, according to Reuters.

In a weekend event in Hong Kong, Duterte criticized the ICC amid anticipation of the arrest warrant related to his drug crackdown.

“Rumor has it I’ve got an ICC warrant,” Duterte said to supporters in Hong Kong.

“What did I do wrong? All my efforts were to bring peace and stability to Filipino lives.”

Duterte’s former spokesperson, Harry Roque, called the arrest warrant baseless given the Philippines’ ICC withdrawal.

“This is unlawful detention,” Roque proclaimed on Facebook Live. “We have not seen the arrest warrant from Interpol or the police.”

However, human rights groups have applauded the arrest and encouraged the Philippines to transfer Duterte to the ICC.

“Duterte’s arrest is pivotal for accountability here,” noted Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. “It brings victims and families closer to justice and reiterates that nobody is beyond the reach of the law.”

Prior to his presidency, Duterte was already setting the stage for his contentious drug war, pitting emboldened law enforcers against users and dealers.

As the mayor of Davao City on Mindanao island, Duterte gained a national profile for reducing crime with his decisive tactics, though allegations of ties to a vigilant vigilante squad followed.

In his final campaign rally before the 2016 election, he asserted that “human rights laws wouldn’t impede his actions.”

“If I win the presidency, I will replicate my mayoral approach. You drug pushers and crooks, watch out,” Duterte declared.

As president, Duterte upheld his bold rhetoric, including derogatory remarks about then-US President Barack Obama, later retracting by saying he referenced a journalist instead.

Despite his health issues and the possibility of an ICC warrant, Duterte declared his intention to run again for mayor of his hometown, a move viewed as an attempt to bolster his politically embattled family amid tensions between his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Marcos Jr.