Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, whose brutal war on drugs defined his presidency, was arrested on Tuesday (March 11) upon his return from Hong Kong. The 79-year-old now faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC), making him the first Asian head of state to be tried by the tribunal.
Duterte’s arrest marks a significant moment in international justice and could have deep political and legal repercussions in the Philippines. His aggressive anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, drew international condemnation but also strong domestic support. Now, with his detention and upcoming trial in The Hague, the world is watching to see whether justice will finally be served—or whether political tensions in the Philippines will reach a boiling point.
Duterte was taken into custody at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport shortly after stepping off a plane following a private visit to Hong Kong. His arrest came after Interpol Manila received a copy of the ICC warrant early Tuesday morning, according to the presidential palace.
The former president appeared visibly surprised but did not resist arrest. Moments after being detained, he recorded a video message in which he questioned the legitimacy of his detention.
“What is the law and what is the crime that I committed? Prove to me now the legal basis for my being here,” he said in a clip that quickly went viral.
His daughter, former vice president Sara Duterte, condemned the arrest, calling it “oppression and persecution” in a strongly worded statement.
Duterte swept into power in 2016 on a promise to rid the Philippines of illegal drugs, vowing to kill thousands of criminals if necessary.
“Forget the laws on human rights. 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 I’d kill you,” he famously declared during his campaign.
He followed through on that pledge with a violent crackdown, instructing police to shoot suspected drug offenders on sight if they resisted. The campaign disproportionately targeted impoverished communities, with many of those killed having little to no evidence against them.
Estimates of the death toll vary widely. The Philippine National Police (PNP) claims it killed around 6,000 people in legitimate operations, but independent estimates—including those from human rights organizations—suggest that the real figure is between 12,000 and 30,000.
Duterte’s war on drugs was met with widespread criticism from international organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, which accused his administration of systematic extrajudicial killings. The ICC formally launched an investigation in September 2021, citing “murder as a crime against humanity.”
The ICC’s case against Duterte hinges on the argument that his anti-drug campaign was not a law enforcement initiative but a state-sanctioned policy of murder. Prosecutors argue that the killings were widespread and systematic, targeting civilians in a manner that constitutes crimes against humanity.
Duterte attempted to shield himself from international prosecution by withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC in 2019. However, the court maintained that it still had jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member.
The tribunal initially paused its investigation in November 2021 after the Philippine government claimed it was conducting its own review of drug war killings. However, ICC judges resumed the probe in July 2023 after determining that Manila’s efforts were insufficient.
Duterte’s arrest also comes at a time of growing tensions between his family and the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The two powerful dynasties had formed a political alliance in 2022, helping to secure Marcos’ victory in the presidential election while Sara Duterte won the vice presidency.
That alliance has since unraveled. Sara Duterte was impeached in February on charges of corruption and an alleged plot to assassinate Marcos. The Duterte camp has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
Marcos, for his part, denied that his government assisted the ICC in any way. Speaking on Tuesday, he said the Philippines was merely “complying with its international obligations.”
“We did not help the International Criminal Court in any way. The arrest was made in compliance with Interpol,” he said. “Politics doesn’t enter into it.”
His statement suggests an effort to distance himself from the case, likely in an attempt to avoid angering Duterte’s still-powerful support base.
For families of drug war victims, Duterte’s arrest represents long-awaited justice.
“The mothers whose husbands and children were killed because of the drug war are very happy because they have been waiting for this for a very long time,” said Rubilyn Litao, a coordinator for Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a group supporting families of drug war victims.
The arrest was also welcomed by human rights organizations, which have spent years calling for Duterte to be held accountable.
However, Duterte remains a divisive figure. His supporters, including many Filipinos who believed his drug war made the country safer, have condemned his detention.
At a rally in Hong Kong just days before his arrest, Duterte addressed cheering supporters, saying his actions were “for my country.” That sentiment continues to resonate with many in the Philippines, where law-and-order policies remain popular.
Duterte has now been transported to the Netherlands, where he will be detained at the ICC’s detention unit in The Hague’s Scheveningen prison. He will undergo an initial appearance before ICC judges, where the court will verify his identity and formally inform him of the charges against him.
The detention facility, which previously held war criminals from the Yugoslav Wars, is known for its relatively humane conditions. Each detainee has an individual cell with a computer (without internet access), a television, and a bed. Detainees are allowed to exercise outdoors and participate in recreational activities.
Once the charges are confirmed, an ICC trial chamber will be established to oversee the proceedings. The process could take years, as international trials are often lengthy and complex.
Duterte’s trial will be a major test for the ICC’s ability to hold world leaders accountable for human rights violations. While the court has indicted several high-profile figures in the past—including Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Russia’s Vladimir Putin—it has often struggled to enforce its rulings.
His case will also be closely watched by other world leaders accused of human rights abuses. If the ICC successfully prosecutes Duterte, it could set a precedent for future cases against political figures accused of crimes against humanity.
Duterte’s arrest and upcoming trial mark an extraordinary moment in Philippine history. For years, he operated with near-total impunity, even bragging about his willingness to go to jail for his actions. Now, he will stand before an international court to answer for the thousands of lives lost under his leadership.
Whether he is ultimately convicted or not, his detention has already sent a powerful message: even the most powerful figures can be held accountable for their actions. For victims’ families, this is the beginning of a long-overdue reckoning. For Duterte’s supporters, it is a bitter pill to swallow.
The trial ahead will be contentious, emotional, and historic. Whatever the outcome, it is certain to reshape Philippine politics—and the global fight for human rights—for years to come.
