former Philippine President Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant for Drug War Killings

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport after arriving from Hong Kong. The arrest came on the strength of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing Duterte of crimes against humanity for his widely criticized anti-drug campaign during his presidency between 2016 and 2022.

The ICC investigation focuses on thousands of extrajudicial killings carried out in Duterte’s war on drugs. Over 12,000 people, most of them alleged drug dealers and users, killed in vigilante attacks and police operations, illustrate the scale of the atrocity. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s Rome Statute in 2019, but the court does not lose jurisdiction over alleged crimes thought to have been carried out before withdrawal.

His arrest has set off political mayhem, specifically with escalating tensions between his replacement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. The arrest is sure to have an impact on the diplomatic efforts of the Philippines, particularly with countries that back human rights accountability such as the United States and European Union.

Drug war victim families have welcomed the arrest as long overdue progress towards justice. All of them had already launched petitions for ICC action when they failed to obtain accountability through the domestic legal system. The human rights groups have also welcomed the decision, celebrating the significance of an impartial trial.

Lawyers for Duterte have called the arrest politically motivated and asserted that his policies were designed to combat illegal drugs and maintain law and order.

With legal proceedings under way, the Philippines is thrown into added political uncertainty, with potential ramifications for domestic governance and foreign relations. The case will be a milestone in worldwide justice and accountability.