Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by police upon his arrival at Manila airport from Hong Kong, following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity related to his deadly “war on drugs” campaign.
The 79-year-old, who served as the Philippine president from 2016 to 2022, has long defended his brutal anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Duterte questioned the basis for his arrest, asking, “What crime [have] I committed?” His former presidential spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, criticized the arrest as “unlawful,” citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019. However, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the country’s withdrawal.
Activists Reaction To Duterte’s Hail Arrest
Human rights activists celebrated Duterte’s arrest as a historic moment for the victims of his drug war and their families. Peter Murphy, chairman of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), said;
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but today, it has bent towards justice. Duterte’s arrest is the beginning of accountability for the mass killings that defined his brutal rule.”
Duterte had been in Hong Kong campaigning for the upcoming mid-term elections, where he planned to run again for mayor of Davao City. Footage showed him walking out of the airport using a cane, with authorities confirming he is in “good health” and under the care of government doctors.
Duterte’s Legacy and the Controversial Drug War
Duterte’s presidency was defined by his aggressive “war on drugs,” which saw over 6,000 suspects killed by police or unknown assailants. Rights groups estimate the actual death toll could be much higher.
The campaign, which targeted street-level drug pushers, was criticized for failing to apprehend high-profile drug lords and for disproportionately affecting poor, young urban males.
A UN report found that police systematically forced suspects to make self-incriminating statements or face lethal force during house raids. Critics also pointed to the existence of a shadowy “death squad” targeting drug suspects, allegations Duterte has consistently denied.
Duterte’s Political Fallout and President Marcos Jr.’s Stance
Duterte’s arrest marks a significant moment in Philippine politics, with analysts describing it as the “beginning of a new chapter.” Political scientist Richard Heydarian noted that the swift arrest at the airport was intended to “avoid political chaos” and prevent Duterte’s supporters from organizing public rallies or delaying legal proceedings.
The arrest also shows (in real time) the deteriorating relationship between the Duterte and Marcos families. Despite forming a powerful alliance during the 2022 elections, the two families have since pursued separate political agendas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. initially refused to cooperate with the ICC investigation but later indicated a willingness to collaborate as his ties with the Dutertes soured. It remains unclear whether Marcos will extradite Duterte to stand trial in The Hague.
Meanwhile, Duterte has remained unapologetic about his drug war, stating,
“Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether or not you believe it… I did it for my country.” His daughter, Veronica Duterte, shared a video of him in custody, where he questioned the legality of his arrest and demanded answers for the “deprivation of liberty.”
The arrest has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters rallying behind Duterte and critics calling for accountability. The ICC’s investigation, which began in 2021, covers alleged abuses from November 2011, when Duterte was mayor of Davao, to March 2019, before the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC.
President Marcos Jr. has scaled back Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, promising a less violent approach to addressing the drug problem. This can be said to be a broader effort by the Philippine leader to distance his administration from the controversies of his predecessor’s tenure while addressing ongoing concerns about human rights and rule of law.
