MANILA — The Marcos administration is “prepared for any eventuality” in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz on Sunday (10 Mar 2025).
Duterte, who reportedly left the Philippines for Hong Kong on March 7, is facing a case at the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Speculation arose after reports suggested that an arrest warrant could be issued by the ICC, a development that was reportedly leaked to Duterte’s camp on March 8.
Ruiz confirmed the government’s readiness for any situation but declined to provide specific details on the warrant’s status. “We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity. The government is prepared for any eventuality,” he said.
Meanwhile, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the Palace had not confirmed the issuance of an arrest warrant. “No confirmation of the arrest warrant from the Palace. But as the Executive Secretary (Lucas Bersamin) and the Secretary of Justice (Jesus Crispin Remulla) said, if Interpol requests assistance, the government will comply,” Castro stated.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra and the Philippine National Police were also contacted for comments. Guevarra confirmed they had not received any notification from the ICC regarding the warrant.
Duterte’s war on drugs, which claimed at least 6,000 lives according to official reports, has been condemned by human rights groups, who estimate the death toll could be as high as 20,000. Duterte and former police chief, now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, are among those implicated in the ICC’s ongoing crimes against humanity investigation.
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