Former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines was taken into custody on Tuesday following the issuance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest. The Philippine government acknowledged receiving the warrant, which charges Duterte with alleged crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency. This campaign, according to police data, resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 individuals.
The ICC warrant was received by Interpol's Manila office early Tuesday morning, as announced by the Presidential Communications Office. The investigation into Duterte's role was spurred by widespread bloodshed and human rights abuses reported during his tenure as president. Independent monitors have long suggested that the number of extrajudicial killings could be substantially higher than the official count.
Duterte's presidency was marked by a ruthless crackdown on illegal drugs, a policy he had vigorously defended. He once stated:
“If I make it to the presidential palace, I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out. Because as the mayor, I’d kill you.”
Despite Duterte's withdrawal of the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the country's membership period. The ICC's authority extends to crimes committed between 2016 and 2019, aligning with Duterte's presidency. The detention marks a significant stride towards accountability in the Philippines. Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the importance of this development.
Rights groups have expressed approval of Duterte's detention and are urging the Philippine government to extradite him to the ICC. Yet, uncertainty remains about whether he will indeed face trial in The Hague. While Duterte has questioned the legitimacy of the warrant, claiming:
“The warrant of arrest has no basis because it was issued at a time when we are no longer a member of the ICC,”
his words have not dissuaded ongoing legal proceedings. Harry Roque, a former spokesperson for Duterte, has termed the situation as "unlawful detention."
Duterte himself previously hinted at the possibility of an ICC warrant, remarking:
“From my own news, I have a warrant … from the ICC or something.”
The ICC investigation continues, with potential for a formal indictment. Duterte's own statements have inadvertently contributed to his current predicament. His assertion of possessing an ICC warrant during a speech in Hong Kong played a pivotal role in his arrest.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration has hinted at the possibility of cooperating with international legal processes. Reuters reported that there is a possibility Duterte might be handed over to the ICC.
