Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested at Manila Airport by ICC Order Over Drug Killings
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila's international airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong on Tuesday. The arrest was carried out on orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with a case of crimes against humanity filed against him, according to the Philippine government.
Police took Duterte into custody following the prosecutor general’s issuance of the ICC notification for an arrest warrant. The warrant was issued as part of the court’s investigation into mass killings that occurred during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The former president is now in the custody of authorities.
Duterte’s arrest led to a commotion at the airport, with his aides and lawyers voicing protests after being denied close contact with him. Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, criticized the handling of the arrest, citing a violation of Duterte’s constitutional rights. Duterte’s former lawyer and spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, questioned the legitimacy of the warrant, asserting that the ICC lacks jurisdiction in the Philippines. However, the ICC maintains that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the country withdrew from the court’s membership.
A copy of the arrest warrant stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the attacks on victims were both widespread and systematic, taking place over several years and resulting in thousands of deaths. The warrant emphasized the necessity of Duterte’s arrest to ensure his appearance before the court, given his history of defying legal summons. Despite no longer holding office, Duterte was described as retaining significant influence, raising concerns over potential interference with investigations and the security of witnesses and victims.
A photo released by Duterte’s political party showed him being held at the Villamor Air Base, adjacent to Manila’s airport. The government assured that Duterte was in good health following his detention. His arrest evoked strong reactions from families of victims of his anti-drug operations, many of whom were moved to tears. Randy delos Santos, whose nephew was killed by police in 2017, described the event as a long-awaited moment for justice. He expressed hope that other officials and officers involved in the extrajudicial killings would also be held accountable.
Three police officers were previously convicted in 2018 for the murder of Kian delos Santos, a case that led Duterte to temporarily suspend his anti-drug campaign. However, convictions in such cases remain rare, fueling concerns that justice would be unattainable within the Philippine legal system. These concerns ultimately prompted victims' families to seek the intervention of the ICC.
The ICC’s investigation covers alleged crimes against humanity committed between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, a period that includes Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City and his presidency. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to evade accountability. Despite efforts by his administration to halt the ICC probe by asserting that Philippine authorities were investigating the allegations, the ICC ruled in 2023 that its inquiry could proceed. The court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, intervenes in cases where nations are deemed unwilling or unable to prosecute individuals accused of severe international crimes.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who assumed office in 2022 and has had political disputes with Duterte, has opted not to rejoin the ICC. However, the Marcos administration has indicated its willingness to cooperate if the ICC issues a Red Notice requesting international law enforcement agencies to locate and temporarily detain Duterte.
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