Manila: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday upon his arrival at Manila’s main airport, following a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC). His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings committed during his controversial anti-drug campaign.
According to a statement from the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte, 79, was taken into custody after being served an Interpol arrest warrant.
Duterte’s aggressive war on drugs, which he launched upon assuming office in 2016, became the hallmark of his administration. He repeatedly justified the crackdown and denied authorizing unlawful killings, maintaining that police were only instructed to use lethal force in self-defense.
The ICC has been investigating allegations of systematic extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s campaign. While Philippine authorities report around 6,200 deaths in police operations, human rights groups claim the actual toll is much higher, with thousands of suspected drug offenders, particularly from impoverished communities, killed under suspicious circumstances. Police have denied involvement in these extrajudicial killings and dismissed allegations of cover-ups.
Duterte had long defied the ICC, withdrawing the Philippines from its jurisdiction in 2019 as the court launched its preliminary probe into alleged crimes against humanity. Despite this, the ICC maintains it has the authority to investigate cases that occurred while the country was still a member.
Following his arrest at Villamor Air Base, Duterte appeared in a video shared by his daughter Veronica, questioning the legality of his detention. "What law did I break? What crime did I commit?" he asked, appearing frustrated. "I did not come here by choice. Someone else is responsible for this. Now, they must answer for depriving me of my liberty."
Duterte’s former legal adviser, Salvador Panelo, condemned the arrest, calling it illegitimate and claiming the former president was denied access to legal counsel. Panelo argued that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch welcomed Duterte’s arrest, describing it as a crucial step toward accountability. "This brings victims and their families closer to justice and sends a strong message that no one is above the law," the organization stated.
Video footage earlier in the day showed Duterte walking through the airport, dressed in a striped polo shirt and jacket, as he was escorted by officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
