On March 11, 2025, former President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested at Manila’s international airport upon returning from Hong Kong. This arrest was executed on the directive of the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning allegations of crimes against humanity associated with his administration’s violent anti-drug campaign.

Duterte’s apprehension was confirmed by the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which stated that legal authorities issued the arrest warrant upon his arrival. The statement emphasized, “Upon his arrival, the prosecutor general served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant to the former president for the crime of crime against humanity. He’s now in the custody of authorities.”

Reactions to the Arrest

The shock of Duterte’s arrest reverberated through the airport, where supporters and aides protested against the authorities. Close ally Senator Bong Go expressed discontent, claiming, “This is a violation of his constitutional right.”

For many families affected by Duterte’s controversial policies, this moment has brought about mixed emotions. Randy delos Santos, whose teenage nephew was killed in an anti-drug operation, remarked, “This is a big, long-awaited day for justice,” expressing hope that further accountability would follow.

Background on the ICC Investigation

The ICC has been probing into alleged extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s rule, spanning from November 2011, when he was mayor of Davao City, to March 2019. This investigation falls under the court’s jurisdiction concerning crimes against humanity.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019, a decision criticized by human rights activists as an attempt to avoid responsibility. In late 2021, efforts to halt the ICC investigation were attempted by the Duterte administration, arguing that local investigations were already underway. However, the ICC appealed that ruling, allowing the investigation to continue.

The Current Government’s Stance

Since his tenure, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has maintained a distance from ICC involvement but indicated willingness to cooperate if requested for assistance in detaining Duterte through an international Red Notice.

The ICC plays a critical role as an international judicial body aimed at addressing the most severe violations of human rights, stepping in when national jurisdictions fail to deliver justice.