Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, aged 79, was arrested in Manila on Tuesday upon his return from Hong Kong. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity due to his brutal anti-drug campaign that led to thousands of deaths.
The crackdown, which started during his tenure as Davao City mayor and continued through his presidency (2016–2022), targeted suspected drug users and dealers, causing global concern over extrajudicial killings. The official Philippine death toll is 6,200, but reports suggest it may be far higher.
Duterte’s supporters rallied while he challenged his arrest’s legality. The Duterte and Marcos families, once allies, now have a contentious relationship. Duterte may attempt to delay deportation to the ICC headquarters in The Hague.
The arrest follows years of ICC investigations and marks a significant turn of events as Duterte and Marcos’s political alliance has fractured. Between 2016 and 2022, the death toll in Duterte’s drug war ranged from 6,200 to over 30,000, with human rights groups claiming the higher number. The crackdown led to widespread fear, with thousands surrendering in hopes of safety, only to later become targets themselves.
The trial and eventual consequences of Duterte’s actions remain a critical concern for many affected families and human rights advocates.
Duterte’s arrest has been welcomed by families of the victims and human rights advocates seeking justice for the widespread killings.
The arrest of Duterte received widespread condemnation from the general public throughout the Philippines, and was regarded by many as political persecution by the Marcos Jr. administration.
As Duterte faces the legal consequences of his actions, current Philippine authorities, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have pledged to cooperate with the ICC if necessary.
Duterte, who has openly admitted to personally killing suspects and protecting complicit police officers, faces charges that the ICC retained jurisdiction over despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
- The ICC had been investigating Duterte since 2011, focusing on the thousands of deaths resulting from his aggressive anti-drug campaign, which he pursued as both city mayor and president.
The arrest of Duterte is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to seek accountability for the alleged human rights violations committed during his administration’s war on drugs. The international community and human rights organizations will be closely monitoring the proceedings as they unfold.
