Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant Over Drug War Killings

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila’s international airport on Tuesday following an order from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs, the Philippine government confirmed.

Duterte was taken into police custody upon his arrival from Hong Kong, with authorities acting on an ICC-issued arrest warrant related to the mass killings carried out under his administration’s anti-drug crackdown, according to a statement from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s office.

The arrest sparked chaos at the airport, as Duterte’s lawyers and aides—including a doctor and legal representatives—were prevented from approaching him. Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, condemned the arrest, calling it a violation of his constitutional rights.

Despite the political uproar, families of victims affected by Duterte’s deadly drug war welcomed the move.

“This is a long-awaited moment for justice,” said Randy delos Santos, whose teenage nephew, Kian delos Santos, was killed in a 2017 police operation. The case was one of the few instances where officers were convicted for extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s drug war.

The ICC has been investigating Duterte’s role in the drug war killings from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, covering his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later President of the Philippines. Duterte had withdrawn the country from the ICC in 2019, a move widely seen as an attempt to evade accountability.

While Duterte’s government had attempted to block the ICC probe, arguing that Philippine authorities were already investigating the allegations, ICC appeals judges ruled in 2023 that the investigation could proceed, rejecting Duterte’s objections.

The Hague-based ICC steps in when national governments fail to prosecute individuals for serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

It remains unclear where Duterte has been taken following his arrest. The Philippine government assured that the 79-year-old former leader is in good health.

Although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has refused to rejoin the ICC, his administration signaled willingness to cooperate with international law enforcement if the ICC issued a Red Notice—a request to track and detain suspects pending extradition.

With Duterte now in custody, his fate could become a major test of the Philippines’ commitment to international justice and accountability for human rights violations.