Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila’s international airport on orders of the International Criminal Court in connection with a case of crime against humanity. The arrest occurred upon his arrival from Hong Kong, according to the Philippine government. Duterte is now in custody of the authorities due to an investigation into mass killings that happened under his prolific crackdown against the use of banned substances.

Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, vehemently defended him, claiming that his detention violated the former president’s constitutional rights. The arrest was a shock to the victims’ family and their relatives who fought for a long time for justice against Duterte. They now feel that justice is finally on the right path and called for the arrest of law enforcers involved as well.

The International Criminal Court began investigating under Duterte’s administration from November 2011 to March 2019, covering his stint as the mayor of Davao. In 2019, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, seemingly to avoid accountability. However, ICC judges ruled in 2023 that its investigation into the drug killings could resume, rejecting the administration’s objections.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who succeeded Duterte in 2022, decided not to rejoin the global court but said that the Marcos administration would cooperate if the ICC ever asks for international police to take Duterte into custody.

Source: https://time.com/7266752/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-arrested/