Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday.
Reports indicate that Duterte was apprehended upon his arrival at Manila Airport after returning from Hong Kong. The charges against him stem from alleged human rights violations linked to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
According to sources, the prosecutor general formally presented the ICC-issued warrant upon Duterte’s arrival. “He is now in the custody of authorities,” a statement from the Philippine government confirmed.
The ICC began its investigation into Duterte in 2018, scrutinizing actions taken under his anti-drug campaign, which spanned from 2016 to 2022. The probe alleges that numerous individuals, including minors, lost their lives due to extrajudicial actions carried out without due legal process.
Duterte has publicly questioned the validity of his arrest, expressing frustration over the charges against him. In a video shared by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, he stated, “What law did I break, and what crime did I commit?” He further emphasized that he was taken into custody against his will, demanding clarity on the legal basis for the action.
During a recent speech in Hong Kong, Duterte defended his tenure, asserting that his decisions were always made with the interests of the Filipino people in mind. The situation continues to unfold as legal proceedings move forward.
