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On March 11, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was detained at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport as he returned from Hong Kong. His arrest was carried out under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s contentious “war on drugs” between 2016 and 2022.
Duterte’s “war on drugs” sparked widespread accusations of extrajudicial killings, with human rights groups estimating that between 6,200 and 30,000 individuals—mostly from disadvantaged communities—lost their lives in the campaign. The ICC’s investigation, which began in 2018, zeroed in on these alleged atrocities.
Despite the Philippines officially withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, the court maintained jurisdiction over crimes committed during Duterte’s time in office. This arrest represents a pivotal moment in international efforts to hold leaders accountable for human rights abuses. The Guardian editorialized that Duterte’s extradition serves as a stern message to global leaders about the repercussions of committing gross human rights violations.
Reactions in the Philippines have been divided. Duterte’s supporters, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, have decried the arrest as a politically motivated attack, arguing that it undermines Philippine sovereignty and due process. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have praised the move as a crucial step toward justice for the victims of the drug war.
After his detention, Duterte was extradited to The Hague to face charges before the ICC. The Philippine government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international legal proceedings while stressing the importance of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and legal integrity.
