Arrested Philippine Ex-President Duterte Faces Legacy of Deadly Drug Crackdown
Manila, Philippines – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his brutal anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of extrajudicial killings over more than a decade. His arrest marks a significant development in an international investigation that has long sought accountability for the bloodshed.
Duterte’s Arrest and Controversial Hong Kong Trip
Duterte, 79 and in poor health, was taken into custody at Manila International Airport upon his return from a trip to Hong Kong. The former president’s weekend visit to the city had sparked speculation that he was seeking exile to avoid arrest. However, during a Sunday rally at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, where thousands of Filipino expatriates gathered, he defiantly defended his drug war policies.
Before his arrest, Duterte was actively campaigning for his party’s senatorial candidates ahead of the May 12 mid-term elections. Speaking to his supporters, he acknowledged the ICC’s warrant but justified his crackdown as necessary for public safety.
Why Was Duterte Popular at Home but Condemned Internationally?
Duterte built his political career on a tough-on-crime stance, first as mayor of Davao City, then as president. His fiery rhetoric, attacks on the elite, and anti-Western sentiments earned him both admiration and condemnation. His war on drugs, launched in Davao in the early 2000s, resulted in an estimated 1,000 extrajudicial killings. By the time he assumed the presidency in 2016, that number had climbed to as many as 10,000, according to whistleblower police officers.
The sheer scale of the killings earned him nicknames such as The Punisher and Duterte Harry. While his supporters lauded his campaign as a necessary fight against crime, human rights groups and international bodies decried the deaths, lack of due process, and climate of fear that gripped the nation.
The United States, European Union, and other Western governments condemned the crackdown, leading Duterte to sever diplomatic ties. In 2016, he infamously told then-U.S. President Barack Obama to “go to hell” while threatening to break away from American influence.
The ICC Case Against Duterte
The ICC began investigating drug war killings under Duterte’s administration, covering the period from November 1, 2011—when he was still mayor of Davao—to March 16, 2019. In response to growing scrutiny, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019, a move widely seen as an attempt to evade accountability.
Despite his withdrawal, the ICC ruled in 2023 that its investigation could continue, citing jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member. The court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, investigates and prosecutes cases of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity when national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte’s successor and now political adversary, has refused to rejoin the ICC but stated that his administration would cooperate if an international warrant were issued through Interpol. The global police organization could facilitate Duterte’s arrest through a Red Notice, a mechanism used to locate and detain international fugitives.
What Lies Ahead for Duterte?
While neither the ICC nor Interpol have publicly confirmed the issuance of a Red Notice, reports indicate that Duterte’s arrest warrant was circulated internationally. A Philippine politician closely involved in the ICC case, speaking anonymously, confirmed the development.
During his Hong Kong speech, Duterte reiterated his stance, insisting he was protecting Filipinos. “What was my sin?” he asked his supporters. “I did everything in my time so Filipinos can have a little peace and tranquility.”
Although he had previously declared retirement from politics, Duterte recently filed to run for mayor of Davao, with one of his sons as his running mate for vice mayor in the upcoming local elections. His political resurgence, coupled with his arrest, raises concerns about potential unrest.
Security Measures in Place
In response to Duterte’s arrest, security forces have been deployed in Davao and other key areas. Additional police personnel have been stationed at Davao’s international airport, and checkpoints have been reinforced. Authorities insist that they are prepared for any disturbances that may arise in the wake of the former president’s detention.
As Duterte faces potential trial at The Hague, his legacy remains a deeply divisive issue in the Philippines. For his supporters, he remains a leader who took bold steps to fight crime. For his critics, his arrest is a long-overdue reckoning for a leader who trampled on human rights in the name of law and order.
This is a developing story.
