Manila, Mar 11 (V7N) – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on charges of crimes against humanity, after being wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte, 79, was apprehended at Manila airport on Tuesday after returning from Hong Kong.

Duterte, who served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and previously as mayor of Davao City, has faced widespread criticism for his controversial anti-drug campaign that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Despite the ongoing investigations into these deaths, Duterte has never shown remorse for his actions during the campaign.

Upon his arrest, Duterte questioned the charges, asking what crime he had committed. His former spokesman, Salvador Panelo, argued that the arrest was “illegal” since the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019. However, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member, which includes the period of Duterte’s presidency.

Human rights organizations have hailed the arrest as a “historic moment” for justice. Peter Murphy, chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), remarked, "The road to justice is long, but today it is moving towards justice. This is the beginning of accountability for Duterte’s brutal rule."

Duterte was seen in television footage leaving the airport with a cane, but authorities assured the public that he was in good health and under the care of government doctors.

The ICC’s investigation into Duterte, launched in 2021, involves charges related to killings in Davao and other parts of the Philippines between 2011 and 2019. Human rights groups estimate that over 6,000 people were killed in his anti-drug crackdown, though they believe the actual number of victims is higher, particularly among poor urban youths targeted without evidence.

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