Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was apprehended at Manila’s international airport on Tuesday by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with a case of crimes against humanity. The Philippine government confirmed that Duterte was arrested upon his arrival from Hong Kong, with police taking him into custody on the orders of the ICC. The charges stem from the mass killings that occurred during Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs.
The arrest of Duterte caused a stir at the airport, as his lawyers and aides protested loudly that they were prevented from approaching him after he was taken into police custody. Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, expressed concern over this violation of his constitutional rights. Families of the victims of Duterte’s violent anti-drug campaigns were moved to tears by his arrest and downfall.
Randy delos Santos, the uncle of a teenager killed by police during an anti-drug operation, called it a long-awaited day for justice. He expressed hope that top police officials and officers involved in the illegal killings would also be held accountable. The conviction of three police officers involved in his nephew’s murder in 2017 was a step towards justice for the victims’ families.
The ICC began investigating drug-related killings under Duterte’s rule, from his time as mayor of Davao to his presidency. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019 to avoid accountability, but the ICC resumed its investigation in 2023. The court can intervene in cases where countries fail to prosecute suspects of heinous international crimes.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who succeeded Duterte and has been embroiled in a political feud with him, has decided not to rejoin the ICC. However, the Marcos administration has pledged to cooperate if the ICC requests international law enforcement agencies to arrest Duterte through a Red Notice.
Duterte’s arrest marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the victims of his violent anti-drug campaigns. The ICC’s intervention underscores the importance of accountability for crimes against humanity, even at the highest levels of government.
