Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte found himself under arrest on the evening of March 11, 2025, aboard a chartered plane bound for The Hague, Netherlands. This event signals not only the dramatic fallout of his controversial presidency but also the international legal ramifications tied to his aggressive war on drugs, which has faced harsh criticism from human rights groups worldwide.
At around 9 PM local time, Duterte, accompanied by three aides, was detained at Manila’s international airport upon his return from Hong Kong. This pivotal moment followed the issuance of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is pursuing accusations of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration’s policies from 2016 to 2022. Duterte’s war on drugs has been linked to the deaths of at least 6,200 individuals according to official government figures; rights groups argue the actual count could be as high as 30,000.
“This is not justice — this is oppression and persecution,” Vice President Sara Duterte stated shortly after her father’s arrest, emphasizing her view of the situation as unfair and politically charged. She criticized the triggering of foreign legal actions against her father, insisting Filipinos should not take orders from non-nationals. “We are not Filipinos for nothing,” she asserted, framing the arrest as both personal and nationalistic.
Veronica Duterte, Duterte’s youngest daughter, shared her frustrations on social media, stating, “People, wake up,” accompanied by poignant visuals of her father being taken away without prior notice of his destination. Her post reflects broader public sentiment, reflecting the view of many Filipinos who are concerned about the implications of foreign intervention.
The legal basis of Duterte's arrest has ignited heated discussions. While Duterte's lawyers maintain the legality of the arrest is questionable—pointing to the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in March 2019—the ICC insists it retains jurisdiction for crimes committed before the withdrawal, clearly indicated by the warrant dated March 7. This legal complexity complicates not only Duterte’s case but also sets the stage for future international legal discussions about sovereign control and accountability.
Duterte’s presidency was marked by high-profile crackdowns aimed at combating illicit drug use, which the former leader justified as necessary for national security. Yet the manner of these crackdowns has been overwhelmingly criticized, prompting calls for accountability from families of the victims whose lives were claimed during what many describe as extrajudicial killings. Activists argue these killings disproportionately impacted the country's poor urban population, including minors and ordinary citizens unconnected to drug trade.
The backdrop of this legal battle highlights the challenges associated with humanitarian inquiries and the ICC's ability to execute justice across borders. The Court's establishment was met with both hope and skepticism, as it was initially set up to prosecute serious crimes where national systems fall short. Duterte's arrest will now test its efficacy and jurisdiction amid national sovereignty issues.
This unprecedented turn of events has galvanized human rights advocates who have long sought justice not just for Duterte’s victims but broadly for the accountability of those holding power. Since 2018, the ICC has been investigating the extensive reports of violence during Duterte's presidency and its impact on human rights practices within the Philippines.
Filipinos are now watching closely as the narrative transitions from the political sphere to the international courtroom. Amid this scrutiny, questions remain around the future of the Philippines' relationship with global governance, especially concerning its human rights record.
For many, the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte marks not just the potential beginning of accountability for past violations but also the reassertion of legal mechanisms aimed at safeguarding human rights across nations. The reactions to his arrest are as varied as the people of the Philippines, embedded within both updates on social media and rallies on city streets, demonstrating the deeply polarized views about his administration and its violent anti-drug policies.
Duterte will now face his accusers amid unprecedented international attention, where his fate will hinge not just on legal arguments but also on the collective aspirations for justice voiced by countless Filipinos impacted by his policies. This moment resonates beyond the immediate legalities, symbolizing broader aspirations for equitable governance and protection of human rights not just locally, but globally.