MANILA – Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday morning (March 11, 2025) by authorities in connection with charges of crimes against humanity filed against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year.
After weeks of speculation and multiple statements from government officials, Malacañang confirmed Duterte’s arrest before noon, just as he arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong.
ICC Arrest Warrant
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Manila officially received the arrest warrant from the ICC on Tuesday morning. This comes after serious allegations related to Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign during his administration.
Police records state that around 6,000 people were killed under “Oplan Tokhang,” Duterte’s controversial drug war, although human rights groups claim the death toll could be as high as 30,000, with many victims said to have “fought back” or in Tagalog, “nanlaban.”
Duterte, who had just returned from a visit to Hong Kong, was met at NAIA by a large group of police officers and journalists. His arrival occurred amidst unexpected developments, as crowds gathered to witness the unfolding events.
Arrest and ICC Notification
Upon Duterte’s arrival, PCO officials quickly explained that the Prosecutor General had issued an official notification from the ICC regarding the arrest warrant for the former president.
According to the PCO, the arrest warrant includes serious allegations of human rights violations directly linked to Duterte’s leadership of the aggressive war on drugs that began in 2016.
“As he arrived, the Prosecutor General presented the ICC notification for an arrest warrant against the former President for crimes against humanity,” the PCO said. This prompted authorities to act swiftly in executing the ICC’s order.
PNP’s Role in the Arrest
Malacañang confirmed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) would lead the operation to arrest Duterte. Police officers wore body cameras to ensure transparency and protect both the accused and officials involved in the operation.
Additionally, medical officials from the government were present to ensure Duterte’s health and safety during the legal proceedings.
The Palace assured the public that the former president and his associates were in good condition and were being closely monitored by government doctors. Reports indicate that Duterte did not experience any serious health issues that would hinder the processing of his case.
The Case and the Struggles of Drug War Victims
Duterte’s arrest marks a significant step for the families of those who fell victim to his controversial war on drugs, which allegedly led to thousands of deaths. The charges stem from widespread extrajudicial killings carried out during his administration, where accused drug users and other criminals were killed without due process or hearings.
Many of the victims never received justice, and families, alongside human rights groups, view Duterte’s arrest as a move towards accountability.
Duterte’s Statement on the ICC
Duterte has repeatedly expressed his willingness to face the charges against him, but he remained firm that he would not be incarcerated. The former president stated that he was ready to confront the ICC and even urged the court to expedite the process, hoping it would conclude before his death.
Despite his public statements, the ICC continues to investigate human rights violations during his presidency.
Currently, the case against Duterte includes allegations of crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings and systematic human rights abuses carried out during his war on drugs.
Legal experts assert that his arrest is an important step toward holding government leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
It’s worth noting that during the height of his violent drug war, Duterte decided to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC’s jurisdiction in 2019, but the international court’s reach remained intact through Interpol’s involvement.
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