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 charges of “crimes against humanity of murder,” with human rights organizations estimating that his anti-drug campaign resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, primarily from impoverished communities, many without proven links to illicit drugs.
The Philippine presidential office confirmed his arrest, stating that Interpol Manila had received the official ICC warrant early that morning. Authorities swiftly took Duterte into custody, ensuring that he and his security detail were in good health and undergoing medical evaluations.
In a video shared on Instagram by his youngest daughter, Veronica, Duterte challenged the legality of his detention. “What law have I broken? What crime have I committed? Show me the legal basis for this,” he demanded. “I was taken here against my will… someone must answer for this deprivation of my liberty.”
While officials did not immediately disclose his location, an image released by his political party suggested he was being held at Villamor Air Base near Manila’s airport. Duterte’s former chief legal adviser, Salvador Panelo, condemned the arrest as unlawful, alleging that authorities denied one of Duterte’s lawyers access at the airport and failed to present a physical copy of the ICC warrant.
Duterte’s supporters gathered outside Villamor Air Base in protest, decrying the arrest, while human rights advocates welcomed the development. Rubilyn Litao, coordinator of the advocacy group Rise Up for Life and Rights, emphasized the significance of the moment for victims’ families. “The mothers who lost their husbands and children to the drug war have waited a long time for justice,” she stated.
International organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Philippine rights group Karapatan, urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the ICC and ensure Duterte’s extradition for trial. “Now that Duterte is in custody, Marcos Jr. must see to it that he is handed over to the ICC,” Karapatan declared, calling the arrest “long overdue.” Human Rights Watch echoed this sentiment, describing the event as a “critical step toward accountability in the Philippines.”
Duterte’s arrest follows a recent trip to Hong Kong, where he addressed thousands of overseas Filipino workers on Sunday. In his speech, he dismissed the ICC investigation, referring to the tribunal’s officials in derogatory terms but acknowledging that he would “accept” an arrest if it came.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte’s directive, yet the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal. This includes killings in Davao City during Duterte’s tenure as mayor. The ICC formally launched an investigation in September 2021 but temporarily paused it after Manila claimed to be reviewing cases linked to drug war killings. However, the inquiry resumed in July 2023 after ICC judges ruled against the Philippine government’s objections.
Despite ongoing resistance from the Marcos administration regarding ICC cooperation, on Sunday, Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office Claire Castro stated that the government would be “obliged to follow” if Interpol formally requested assistance.
Despite his legal challenges, Duterte remains a formidable political figure and is currently campaigning for mayor of Davao City in the May midterm elections. His war on drugs remains popular among many Filipinos who viewed it as a firm stance against crime, while critics denounced it as a widespread violation of human rights.
During a Philippine Senate inquiry in October regarding his drug war policies, Duterte remained unrepentant. “I did what needed to be done, for my country,” he stated. “I offer no apologies, no excuses.”
With Duterte’s arrest, the Philippines faces a pivotal moment—one that could shape its stance on human rights and international justice or signal a retreat from global accountability standards.
