The Philippine government has announced the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in response to a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The arrest took place upon Duterte’s arrival at Manila airport following his return from Hong Kong, as per information received via Interpol.

The ICC is investigating Duterte for “crimes against humanity” in relation to his anti-drug campaign, which has been accused of causing the deaths of thousands, including minors, without adherence to due process. Duterte defended his efforts, stating he acted for the Filipino people and would accept what fate brought, even if it meant arrested or jailed.

His six-year presidency saw over 7,000 official operation deaths, with human rights groups alleging the actual number could exceed 30,000, including unlawful killings by police impersonators. The Human Rights Watch labels Duterte’s arrest as crucial for accountability in the Philippines, urging the current government to promptly hand him over to the ICC.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/11/philippines-ex-president-rodrigo-duterte-arrested-on-international-warrant?traffic_source=rss