Arrest Details : Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila airport on an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity linked to his "war on drugs."
By Aniket Chakraborty
Mar 11, 2025
Extradition Context : The arrest followed his return from Hong Kong, where he campaigned for a mayoral bid in Davao ahead of the May 12 elections.
2
Duterte’s Denial : He dismissed the charges, asking, “What crime [have] I committed?” and insisted his actions were for national peace.
3
Legal Dispute : His spokesperson called the arrest “unlawful,” citing the Philippines’ 2019 ICC withdrawal, but the ICC asserts jurisdiction over pre-2019 crimes.
4
Activist Reaction : Rights groups hailed the arrest as a “historic moment” for victims of the drug war and their families.
5
Drug War Toll : The campaign saw over 6,000 deaths, with UN reports alleging systemic police abuses targeting poor urban males.
6
Political Legacy : Duterte, a populist known as the “Donald Trump of the East,” shifted Philippine foreign policy toward China during his presidency.
7
Family Influence : His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is a potential 2028 presidential candidate, continuing the family’s political dominance.
8
Health and Custody : Authorities confirmed Duterte’s “good health” during detention, though footage showed him using a cane post-arrest.
9
Marcos’ Dilemma : President Ferdinand Marcos faces pressure to extradite Duterte, despite initial resistance to cooperating with the ICC.