Rodrigo Duterte in police custody after ICC warrant

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. ARCHIVE

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody on Tuesday (March 11) after arriving in Manila, following the enforcement of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs. Duterte, 79, landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 9:20am aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 907 from Hong Kong. Upon arrival, he was met by Philippine authorities, who formally presented him with the ICC’s arrest warrant. According to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Interpol Manila branch had received the official ICC warrant early on Tuesday and immediately coordinated its enforcement with local law enforcement agencies. “The former president and his team are in good health and were examined by government doctors upon arrival,” the PCO said in a statement. “His good health was ensured.” The ICC has been investigating Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths. While Philippine National Police (PNP) records show over 6,000 deaths, human rights groups estimate the actual number to be significantly higher, with many cases classified as extrajudicial killings. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, has consistently denied wrongdoing and defended the drug war as a necessary measure to curb crime and illegal narcotics in the country. The Philippine government has previously stated that it would not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction after Duterte withdrew the country from the tribunal in 2019. However, officials acknowledged that the country remains obliged to act under its commitments to Interpol, which facilitated the transmission of the arrest warrant. Philippine National Police (PNP) officers enforcing the ICC warrant were equipped with body cameras to ensure transparency, according to the PCO. The government assured the public that all legal protocols were followed and that Duterte’s rights would be protected during the process. A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said authorities were “prepared for any legal challenges from Duterte’s legal team” and were closely monitoring the situation.

Duterte’s reaction before arrest

Before his arrest, Duterte had addressed the ICC probe during a speech in Hong Kong, where he dismissed the allegations against him. He stated that he would face any legal proceedings as a lawyer and would not flee the country. “I would say that not really appear or non-appearance, but I will deal with the problem directly as a lawyer. Gagamitin ko na ‘yung pagka-abogado ko ,” Duterte told GMA Integrated News. Despite the ICC warrant, Duterte remained unapologetic about his policies during his presidency. “I have no regrets. I did what I had to do to protect my country,” he reportedly told close aides before boarding his flight from Hong Kong. Legal experts say Duterte’s next course of action depends on whether the Philippine government will proceed with extradition, as the country is not a formal member of the ICC Statute. However, international legal obligations and diplomatic pressure could complicate the situation. “While the Philippines is no longer a party to the ICC, it is still a member of Interpol, which means that enforcement actions, including arrests and potential extradition, could still happen,” explained Atty. Juan Sevilla, a legal analyst specializing in international law. Duterte is expected to be formally processed and brought before legal authorities for initial proceedings in the coming days. His legal team has yet to issue an official statement regarding their next legal moves. ICA/CAM/Expat Media