In Manila, a former president was apprehended by local police following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for his involvement in a deadly anti-drug campaign. The 79-year-old faces charges of committing crimes against humanity, specifically murder, in connection to a crackdown that resulted in the deaths of thousands of individuals, mostly from impoverished backgrounds. The authorities confirmed the arrest and stated that the former president is currently in custody.
Despite claims of the arrest being unlawful from Duterte’s legal counsel, the detainment was regarded as a positive development by a group advocating for the families affected by the drug war. Human Rights Watch urged the government to promptly hand over the former president to the ICC, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the Philippines.
The sequence of events leading to Duterte’s arrest began with his detention at the Manila airport after returning from a trip to Hong Kong. While addressing Filipino workers in Hong Kong, Duterte criticized the ICC investigation and expressed his readiness to face any consequences. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 at Duterte’s directive, yet the court maintained jurisdiction over prior incidents, including those from Duterte’s tenure as the mayor of Davao.
Despite his ongoing popularity among some segments of the population, Duterte’s arrest marks a significant turn of events in his political career. As he faces legal challenges both domestically and internationally, his legacy as a staunch advocate of a tough stance against drugs is being closely scrutinized.