Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila and transferred to The Hague as part of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during his brutal war on drugs. Duterte, 79, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, could become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC.
His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, flew to the Netherlands on Wednesday, but her purpose and duration of stay remain unclear. Meanwhile, his youngest daughter, Veronica Duterte, is set to file a habeas corpus request with the Philippine Supreme Court, demanding his return.
Legal counsel Silvestre Bello stated that Duterte’s legal team is working to determine his exact location and explore all possible legal options. Despite withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, the court asserts jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was a member.
Duterte’s war on drugs, which helped him win the presidency, saw at least 6,200 suspects killed in police operations. However, human rights groups claim the real death toll is significantly higher, with thousands more killed in extrajudicial executions.
Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director, Bryony Lau, called Duterte’s arrest a "long-overdue victory against impunity," emphasizing that it sets a precedent for holding human rights violators accountable.
Duterte’s transfer to The Hague marks a historic moment in the global fight for justice, sending a strong warning to leaders accused of crimes against humanity.