Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines was apprehended by the International Criminal Court on Wednesday after being arrested in Manila on murder charges stemming from his controversial “war on drugs” that resulted in numerous deaths of alleged drug dealers and users.
The ICC confirmed that Duterte was “surrendered to the custody of the International Criminal Court. He was detained by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines for charges of murder as a crime against humanity.”
The 79-year-old was transported to Rotterdam airport via a chartered plane earlier in the day and is scheduled for an initial appearance before an ICC judge in The Hague in the upcoming days. He has been moved to a detention facility on the Dutch coast.
Duterte, who governed the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, is facing accusations of committing crimes against humanity by overseeing death squads during his anti-drug campaign. If convicted, he could potentially become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC.
The ICC arrest warrant alleges that as president, Duterte established, financed, and armed the death squads responsible for the killings of alleged drug users and dealers.
In a video recorded during his arrest in Manila, Duterte questioned the basis for his detention and the crimes he was being accused of committing.
An official informed Duterte of his arrest warrant from the ICC accusing him of murder, to which Duterte responded, “It must be murders,” indicating that the charges must be plural.
Outside the ICC in The Hague, about 20 protesters demonstrated against Duterte with banners demanding justice and accountability, labeling him as a war criminal.
Protesters held up a large cardboard mask portraying Duterte as a vampire, symbolizing the harm they believe he has inflicted on the Filipino people.
For families of victims of the Philippine drug war, Duterte’s arrest has renewed hopes for justice and accountability.
The war on drugs was Duterte’s main campaign platform that propelled him to power in 2016. During his tenure, thousands of suspects were killed in anti-drug operations, with activists claiming a much higher death toll.
Habeus Corpus
Duterte’s daughter Sara Duterte, the country’s vice president, traveled to Amsterdam, but her intentions were not disclosed. Legal teams are planning to review options and seek clarification on Duterte’s whereabouts and possible access to him.
Veronica Duterte, Duterte’s youngest daughter, intends to file a habeas corpus request with the Philippine Supreme Court to demand his return to the country.
The arrest marks a significant shift for the Duterte family, who previously had a strong alliance with Marcos, but have since faced political challenges and divisions.
“This arrest signifies that international justice is universal and not limited to Western ideals,” said Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing families of victims of drug-related killings.
By Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg
