Janice R. Andrews
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after arriving in the Netherlands on Wednesday. The 79-year-old leader faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs during his presidency.
A plane carrying Duterte from Manila touched down in the Netherlands, where he was surrendered to ICC authorities. The court confirmed his arrest, stating that he was detained in accordance with an arrest warrant issued for murder as a crime against humanity. Duterte was arrested near Manila on Tuesday before being flown to the Netherlands.
ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah confirmed the plane’s arrival, adding that Duterte will be held in a detention center ahead of an initial court appearance, likely scheduled in the coming days. If convicted, the former president could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Duterte has vowed to fight the charges.
The arrest warrant cites at least 43 deaths during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, though estimates of the total death toll vary widely. Official figures suggest around 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups claim the number could be as high as 30,000.
Victims’ families and human rights advocates have welcomed the news. Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing drug war victims, called the arrest a “great signal for international criminal justice,” emphasizing that “no one is above the law.” Amnesty International also praised the development, describing it as a “monumental and long-overdue step for justice.”
However, the arrest has sparked mixed reactions. A small group of pro-Duterte protesters gathered outside the ICC, chanting support for the former leader and rejecting the court’s jurisdiction. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 during the early stages of the investigation, but the court retains authority over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal.
The case marks a significant moment for international justice, as it underscores the ICC’s commitment to holding even high-ranking officials accountable for alleged human rights violations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the world watches closely to see how this landmark case will shape the future of global accountability.
