On Tuesday, as per an order from the International Criminal Court (ICC), former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was apprehended at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The ICC is now examining a case of crimes against humanity that Duterte allegedly committed while in office.
Upon returning from his vacation to Hong Kong, 79-year-old Duterte was apprehended at the Philippines’ airport, according to the Associated Press.
The ICC is looking into “massive killings that happened under the former president’s deadly crackdown against illegal drugs,” according to the AP, which cited President Ferdinand Marcos’ cabinet.
“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,” according to the agency. “He’s now in the custody of authorities.”
At the airport, former president’s supporter Sen. Bong Go informed reporters that following Duterte’s arrest, no one—including his attorneys, advisers, and a doctor—was permitted to approach him, which Go described as a “violation of his constitutional right.”
Following a review of the document, The Associated Press reported that the ICC warrant, issued on March 7, said that Duterte’s arrest was essential “to ensure his appearance before the court” due to the fact that he was anticipated to disregard a court summons.
Additionally, the report stated that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that” the assault on victims “was both widespread and systematic: the attack took place over a period of several years and thousands [of] people appear to have been killed,” as reported by the news medium.
While he is no longer president, Duterte is said to “wield considerable power” perhaps more so.
An anti-drug operation in 2017 resulted in the death of Randy delos Santos’s nephew. Delos Santos described Duterte’s arrest as a “big, long-awaited day for justice.”
We can sense the wheels of justice turning now. According to delos Santos, who spoke to The AP, the hundreds of police officers implicated in the unlawful deaths, as well as high-ranking police officials, should be arrested and penalized.
In 2018, Duterte momentarily halted his brutal anti-drug campaign after the conviction of three police officers implicated in the killing of his teenage nephew. After realizing that justice would not be done in the Philippines, the families of other individuals slain during Duterte’s campaign turned to the International Criminal Court for assistance.
The International Criminal Court initially probed the ex-president in November 2011 when he was Davao City mayor for crimes against humanity. Under his direction, investigations into drug-related homicides continued until March 16, 2019.
In 2021, the Duterte government claimed that Philippine authorities were investigating the same accusations, in an effort to halt the ICC’s inquiry. Additionally, it contended that the court lacked the authority to conduct an investigation.
In 2023, justices on the appeals court denied Duterte’s requests to halt the inquiry and let it to resume.