Manila: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken full responsibility for the controversial war on drugs conducted during his administration, as he prepares to face legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a video message posted on his Facebook account, Duterte reaffirmed his leadership during the campaign, pledging to stand by law enforcement and the military. “I have said before that I will protect you and take responsibility for everything,” he stated. The video, viewed over 10 million times, showed Duterte wearing a plain white shirt, seemingly recorded aboard a plane with the hum of an engine in the background.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on Wednesday and subsequently transferred to ICC custody in The Hague, where he faces charges of murder as a crime against humanity. The ICC confirmed his surrender in a statement, saying he was detained by Philippine authorities before being transported to a detention facility on the Dutch coast. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the coming days.
Despite the legal battle ahead, the 79-year-old former leader remained resolute. “This will be a long legal process, but I will continue to serve my country. If this is my fate, so be it,” he declared in his video message, assuring his supporters of his well-being.
Duterte, who governed the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, faces accusations of orchestrating extrajudicial killings through state-backed death squads as part of his anti-drug campaign. According to Philippine police records, at least 6,200 individuals were killed in official operations.
Meanwhile, his daughter, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, arrived in The Hague on Wednesday evening, her office confirmed.
Legal experts view Duterte’s arrest as a significant milestone for the ICC, which has faced challenges in enforcing its mandates, given its lack of an independent police force. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the arrest but did not provide further comments.
Duterte could become the first former Asian head of state to stand trial at the ICC, marking a critical moment in international efforts to hold leaders accountable for alleged human rights violations.
