Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested in Manila and transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs.” Duterte, 79, was detained upon his arrival from Hong Kong at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, 2025. He was subsequently flown to the Netherlands, where he is now in ICC custody.
The ICC’s investigation centers on allegations of extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s tenure as president and previously as mayor of Davao City. Human rights groups claim that thousands were killed in the anti-drug campaign, many without due process. Duterte has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that he never ordered unlawful killings.
Duterte’s arrest marks a significant moment in international justice, as he becomes the first former Asian leader to be detained on an ICC warrant. His legal team, including his daughter and current Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, is preparing to contest the charges. The Philippine government, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has acknowledged the arrest’s legality, reflecting a shift in the country’s stance on cooperating with international legal bodies.
Source: Swifteradio.com
