Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday under an Interpol warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He is accused of overseeing nearly 4,000 extrajudicial killings during his controversial anti-drug war from 2016 to 2022.
Duterte, 79, was taken into custody upon returning from Hong Kong, sparking chaos at Ninoy Aquino International Airport as his aides and lawyers protested. Reports suggest that his doctor and legal team were blocked from reaching him, with Senator Bong Go calling it a violation of his constitutional rights.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed they executed the ICC arrest warrant while wearing body cameras and ensured Duterte was in good health.
Duterte’s camp rejects the arrest as illegal, with his legal aide, Salvador Panelo, claiming the ICC has no jurisdiction since the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019.
The ICC maintains that it can investigate crimes committed before the withdrawal, allowing the case to proceed.
Current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has not yet commented on the situation, but his administration has previously distanced itself from the ICC probe.
Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign led to thousands of deaths, mostly poor urban Filipinos. Human rights groups argue the real death toll is much higher.
The ICC began investigating Duterte in 2011 when he was still mayor of Davao, citing alleged summary executions.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 to avoid prosecution, but the court ruled in 2023 that the probe could continue.
The arrest is expected to fuel political tensions in the Philippines, with possible legal challenges and public protests. The ICC’s next steps could involve extradition proceedings to bring Duterte to The Hague for trial.