Jay Jackson
11 Mar 2025, 14:53 GMT+10
MANILA, Philippines - In a dramatic move, the International Criminal Court on Tuesday arrested the former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte at Manila International Airport as he was returning from a trip to Hong Kong.
He was later placed on a flight to The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court.
The ICC has been investigating since 2018, allegations that Duterte orchestrated a major crackdown on drug trafficking, which oversaw executions of tens of thousands of dealers.
The former president withdrew the Philippines from the ICC while in office.
His lawyer, Salvador Panelo, said his client's arrest was unlawful, partly because the Philippines withdrew from the court while Mr. Duterte was in office.
The former president's arrest by the Philippines government was on the order of Interpol, acting on behalf of the ICC.
"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," a spokesperson for the Philippines government said in a statement on Tuesday.
"He's now in the custody of authorities," the statement said. It was later confirmed by both of Futerte's daughters, Sara and Veronica, and verified by Reuters, that the former presidence has since been put on a flight to The Hague.
The ICC first opened a preliminary investigation into the anti-drugs crackdown in February 2018, Big News Network reported. "Specifically it has been alleged that since July 2016 thousands of persons have been killed for reasons related to their alleged involvement in illegal drug use or dealing. While some of such killings have reportedly occurred in the context of clashes between and within gangs it is alleged that many of the reported incidents involved extrajudicial killings in the course of police anti-drug operations," a statement issued at the time said.
On social media in the Philippines, news of the arrest failed to make any noise, as Filipinos are well used to the allegations. Many on social media at the time of the announcement of the investigation thanked the then president for his alleged crackdown.
"Thank you President Duterte for being a new solution to old problems kind of president. God bless. St. Michael prayer for protection," one poster remarked on Twitter (now X).
Get a daily dose of Brisbane Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Brisbane Star.
More InformationBATHURST, NSW, Central West, Australia - A man who has been disqualified from holding a driver's license for the next ninety-two years...
(Photo credit: Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Lucas Glover, J.J....
New Delhi [India], March 14 (ANI): Indian all-rounder Axar Patel continued his fine run in ICC white-ball events, contributing plenty...
Foreign bloggers who praise China rapidly gain popularity and millions of followers on Chinese social media platforms. VOA examined...
New Delhi [India], March 13 (ANI): India closed out a remarkable campaign at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025, finishing at...
(Photo credit: Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Former U.S. Open champion...
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: Air Force fighter jets have stopped a civilian plane that entered restricted airspace near Donald Trump's...
CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, D.C.: Farmers and food groups across the U.S. are laying off workers, stopping investments, and struggling to get...
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota: A new South Dakota law banning the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines has cast doubt on...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Officials working on diversity and inclusion programs at the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning an extensive study on possible links between...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. weather agency, NOAA, plans to lay off 1,029 workers following 1,300 job cuts earlier this year. This...