Former Philippine President, Duterte Charged Over Crimes Against Humanity

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippine police on March 11, 2025, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for crimes against humanity related to his “war on drugs.

The 79-year-old was taken into custody upon his arrival at Manila airport from Hong Kong, where he had been campaigning for the upcoming May 12 mid-term elections.

Duterte’s arrest was a historic moment for the families of those who died in his anti-drug campaign, with activists hailing it as a step towards accountability.

However, his former presidential spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, slammed the arrest as “unlawful” since the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019.

The ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Philippines before its withdrawal from the court.

Duterte faces charges for crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings during his tenure as mayor of Davao and president of the Philippines.

Duterte’s “war on drugs” resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 suspects, with rights groups estimating a higher number. Critics argue that the campaign targeted the urban poor and failed to capture major drug lords.

The former president remains popular in the Philippines, particularly in his hometown of Davao, where he served as mayor for 22 years. His daughter, Sara Duterte, is the current vice president and a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

Following his arrest, Duterte was detained at Villamor Air Base and later flown to The Hague to face trial at the ICC.