Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, in Manila under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant linked to his controversial war on drugs.
The 79-year-old faces accusations of “the crime against humanity of murder,” with human rights groups estimating that his violent crackdown led to the deaths of tens of thousands, primarily among low-income individuals, many of whom had no verified connections to illegal drugs.
The Philippine presidential palace confirmed the arrest, indicating that Interpol Manila had received an official copy of the ICC warrant early that morning. Authorities have taken Duterte into custody, assuring the public that both he and his entourage are in good health and undergoing medical evaluations.
In an Instagram video shared by his youngest daughter, Veronica, Duterte questioned the legal grounds for his arrest, stating, “What is the law and what crime have I committed? Show me the legal basis for my being here. I was brought here not of my own accord; someone else is responsible … you must answer for this deprivation of liberty.”
Officials did not immediately disclose his location, but a photo from his political party suggested he was being detained at Villamor Air Base near Manila’s airport. Duterte’s former chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, described the arrest as “unlawful,” claiming police prevented one of Duterte’s lawyers from gaining access at the airport and did not present a physical copy of the ICC warrant.
Supporters of Duterte gathered outside Villamor Air Base to protest his arrest, while human rights organizations welcomed the news. Rubilyn Litao, a coordinator for the advocacy group Rise Up for Life and for Rights, expressed optimism, noting that families of drug war victims had long sought justice.
“The mothers whose husbands and children were killed because of the drug war are very happy as they have been waiting for this for a long time,” she told AFP.
Human Rights Watch and the Philippine rights alliance Karapatan urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that Duterte is handed over to the ICC for trial. “Now that Duterte has been arrested, Marcos Jr. must guarantee that he is forwarded to the ICC for detention and trial,” Karapatan stated, labeling the arrest “long overdue.” Human Rights Watch echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Duterte’s arrest represents a “critical step for accountability in the Philippines.”
Duterte’s arrest comes after a brief trip to Hong Kong, where he addressed thousands of overseas Filipino workers on Sunday. During the speech, he dismissed the ICC investigation, derogatorily referring to its investigators but also acknowledging that he would “accept it” if he were arrested.
The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC in 2019 at Duterte’s direction, yet the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed prior to the withdrawal, including killings in Davao City during Duterte’s time as mayor.
The ICC initiated an investigation in September 2021 but paused it after Manila claimed it was reviewing numerous cases linked to drug war killings. The inquiry resumed in July 2023 after ICC judges ruled against the Philippines’ objections.
Since then, the Marcos administration has repeatedly declined to cooperate with the ICC probe. However, on Sunday, Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office Claire Castro stated that if Interpol formally requested assistance, the Philippine government would be “obliged to follow.”
Despite his legal challenges, Duterte remains a significant political figure and is currently campaigning for mayor of Davao City in the upcoming May midterm elections. His war on drugs garnered popularity among many Filipinos who viewed it as an effective tactic against crime, although critics condemned it as a systematic violation of human rights.
During a Philippine Senate inquiry into the drug war last October, Duterte remained defiant, asserting he had no regrets. “I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country,” he remarked. “I offer no apologies, no excuses.”
Duterte’s arrest marks a pivotal moment for the Philippines, potentially influencing whether the nation will uphold its commitment to human rights and international justice or shield a former leader from accountability.
