Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila’s airport upon returning from Hong Kong, following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to his alleged crimes against humanity during his drug war from 2016 to 2022. The investigation highlights extrajudicial killings linked to death squads. Despite denying wrongdoing, Duterte’s arrest signals a significant moment for victims’ families and showcases President Ferdinand Marcos’s political stance amid ongoing tensions between their families.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested Upon Arrival in Manila
On Tuesday, Philippine authorities apprehended former President Rodrigo Duterte at Manila’s airport, shortly after his return from a trip to Hong Kong. This significant development came in response to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) based in The Hague. Current President Ferdinand Marcos confirmed that the warrant had arrived in the Philippines on the same day, and Duterte is now in custody.
Crimes Against Humanity Investigation
The ICC initiated an investigation into crimes against humanity linked to Duterte in January 2023, primarily focusing on his controversial drug war during his presidency from 2016 to 2022 and his earlier tenure as mayor of Davao City. Under the guise of tackling rampant drug crime, Duterte’s administration has been accused of ordering the extrajudicial killings of thousands without fair trials.
Reports indicate that the violence associated with this drug campaign was systematic, with death squads operating independently of the police and military. These squads targeted not only suspected drug dealers but also innocent bystanders and political adversaries. Former members of these squads have confessed to their roles, revealing a disturbing pattern of violence that has left at least 8,663 confirmed victims, according to United Nations estimates. However, human rights advocates suggest the actual number could be significantly higher.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Duterte and senior police officials have consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that any fatalities were merely acts of self-defense. For years, Duterte remained in the Philippines, making public appearances despite the ongoing investigations.
Initially, the ICC began a preliminary investigation in 2018 while Duterte was still in office. In response to the impending scrutiny, he chose to withdraw the Philippines from the Rome Statute, the treaty that underpins the ICC, effective in 2019. The Philippines is notably one of only two nations to have exited the ICC, alongside Burundi. Nonetheless, the ICC asserts its authority to prosecute crimes committed prior to the withdrawal, including those related to Duterte’s drug war up until 2019.
Moreover, the Philippines continues to be a member of Interpol, and an Interpol official was present during Duterte’s arrest in Manila.
Political Implications of Duterte’s Arrest
Even under Marcos, who has been in power since 2022, the Philippines has not sought to rejoin the ICC. However, Marcos appears open to cooperating with ICC investigators, likely for political gain. The alliance between Marcos and Duterte’s daughter, Sara, who serves as the vice president and has aspirations to succeed him, adds another layer to this complex political landscape. The Philippine constitution limits presidents to a single six-year term.
The Marcos and Duterte families wield considerable influence in the Philippines, with numerous relatives occupying positions in both national and local government. Marcos’ father previously ruled the country as both an elected leader and a dictator until 1986. The alliance formed between the two families in 2022 has faced tensions, with public accusations of conspiracy and murder plots surfacing between Marcos and Sara Duterte.
Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest symbolizes not only a victory for the families of the drug war victims but also serves as a display of power from President Marcos. With parliamentary elections set for May, the political ramifications of this event will be closely monitored.
Furthermore, this arrest marks a significant achievement for the ICC, which has recently issued several arrest warrants for other global leaders, such as Myanmar’s military dictator and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the enforcement of these warrants remains uncertain. It is still unclear whether Duterte will be extradited to The Hague or remain in custody in the Philippines for the time being.