In a dramatic flip of occasions, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at present, March 11, 2025, at Manila’s worldwide airport upon his return from Hong Kong. The arrest was carried out by Philippine police performing on a warrant issued by the Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC), which accuses Duterte of crimes in opposition to humanity tied to his controversial “struggle on medication” throughout his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
The arrest marks a major second within the ICC’s years-long investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings of hundreds of Filipinos underneath Duterte’s anti-drug marketing campaign. Whereas official police data cite 6,200 deaths, human rights teams estimate the toll to be as excessive as 30,000, with many victims being younger males from impoverished communities.
The Arrest and Its Speedy Aftermath
Duterte, 79, was taken into custody shortly after arriving at Manila’s airport from Hong Kong, the place he had attended a rally organized by Filipino employees. In a video posted by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, the previous chief questioned the legality of his arrest, asking, “What’s the regulation and what’s the crime that I dedicated?”.
The arrest sparked chaos on the airport, with Duterte’s allies and authorized workforce protesting what they known as a violation of his constitutional rights. Senator Bong Go, a detailed ally, condemned the arrest as “illegal detention,” whereas Duterte’s former authorized counsel, Salvador Panelo, argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines.
Regardless of these objections, human rights teams and households of victims hailed the arrest as a long-awaited step towards justice. Randy delos Santos, whose nephew Kian delos Santos was killed by police in 2017, described the day as “a giant, long-awaited day for justice”.
Duterte’s Battle on Medication and ICC Investigation
Duterte’s “struggle on medication” was a cornerstone of his presidency, characterised by brutal crackdowns on drug sellers and customers. He overtly inspired police to shoot suspects who resisted arrest, claiming the marketing campaign was obligatory to revive peace and order within the Philippines.
The ICC launched its investigation into the alleged crimes in 2021, specializing in killings that occurred between 2016 and 2019, when the Philippines was nonetheless a member of the ICC. Duterte withdrew the nation from the Rome Statute in 2019, however the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes dedicated through the membership interval.
In a Senate inquiry final yr, Duterte admitted to sustaining a “demise squad” throughout his tenure as mayor of Davao Metropolis, additional fueling allegations of systematic extrajudicial killings.
China’s Warning In opposition to “Politicization” and “Double Requirements”
Because the arrest unfolded, China issued a stern warning to the ICC, urging the court docket to keep away from “politicization” and “double requirements.” This echoes China’s longstanding criticism of the ICC, significantly in mild of its latest actions in opposition to world leaders, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China’s envoy to the United Nations, Solar Zhiqiang, emphasised the significance of respecting judicial sovereignty and avoiding externally imposed options. “The ICC ought to strictly comply with the precept of complementarity and keep away from politicization and double requirements in its work,” he acknowledged.
China’s warning comes amid considerations that the ICC’s actions could possibly be influenced by highly effective states, undermining its credibility as an neutral arbiter of worldwide justice.
What’s Subsequent for Duterte?
The Philippine authorities has but to make clear whether or not Duterte shall be transferred to The Hague to face trial. If convicted, he might turn into the primary former Asian head of state to be tried by the ICC.
For now, Duterte stays in custody at Villamor Air Base close to Manila, along with his supporters rallying exterior the power. The arrest has reignited debates about accountability, sovereignty, and the function of worldwide justice in addressing alleged crimes by state leaders.
Because the world watches, the case in opposition to Duterte serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of balancing nationwide sovereignty with the pursuit of world justice.
