Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested, Sent to The Hague for Crimes Against Humanity

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday and flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte, 79, was detained at Manila International Airport upon returning from Hong Kong, following an Interpol arrest warrant related to mass killings in his anti-drug crackdown during his time as Davao mayor and Philippine president.

The ICC accuses Duterte of overseeing widespread and systematic killings, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to 30,000 deaths. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, condemned the arrest, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defended it as lawful.

Duterte’s lawyers attempted to block his extradition, and supporters protested, but families of victims celebrated the move as a long-awaited step toward justice. The ICC emphasized that his arrest was necessary to ensure his court appearance.

Duterte had previously withdrawn the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 to avoid prosecution, but the court resumed its investigation in 2023. His trial in The Hague is expected to be historic, marking a major test for international justice.

Source: AP News