ICC Arrests Ex-Philippine President Duterte

March 12, 2025

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested in Manila and extradited to The Hague. He faces charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. These charges relate to his controversial war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Duterte’s War on Drugs Explained

Duterte initiated his war on drugs shortly after becoming president. He promised to eradicate illegal drugs within six months. His approach was marked by aggressive police operations that led to the deaths of many suspected drug users and dealers. Rights organisations claim that over 30,000 people died as a result of these operations, with many victims being from impoverished backgrounds.

Public Support and Controversy

Despite the violence, Duterte maintained high approval ratings throughout his presidency. His initial approval rating was 86%, which remained at 73% by the end of his term. Public support stemmed from his tough stance on crime and drugs. Critics argue that this approval enabled a culture of impunity among law enforcement.

International and Domestic Reactions

The ICC began investigating the drug war after Duterte withdrew the Philippines from its jurisdiction. The investigation was temporarily suspended but resumed in 2024. Families of victims expressed mixed emotions regarding Duterte’s arrest. Many see it as a glimmer of hope for justice, while others highlight the systemic injustices faced by victims’ families.

Significance

The recent arrest is the first time a leader from the Philippines will face a case in an international court.
It is rare for any country to arrest a former leader because the ICC demands it. This case is even more unusual because the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC—Duterte withdrew from it in 2019—so the country is not required to follow ICC arrest warrants.
The decision by the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is also a big change since he had earlier rejected the ICC’s authority over the Philippines.

What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and prosecutes serious crimes like war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and acts of aggression.
It steps in when countries are unable or unwilling to take legal action themselves.
Ukraine became the newest member of the ICC in January, bringing the total number of member states to 125.
Major nations like the United States, Russia, and China are not part of the ICC.
The ICC operates on an annual budget of over 195 million Euros (about $213 million).
It does not have its own police force and relies on countries to arrest suspects.
Since its creation, the court has issued 60 arrest warrants and convicted 11 people.

Key Cases and Convictions

Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese warlord, was the first person convicted by the ICC in 2012. He received a 14-year sentence for recruiting child soldiers.
Dominic Ongwen, a former Ugandan rebel commander, was convicted in 2021 for war crimes, including multiple murders and forced marriages.
Three cases are still awaiting verdicts, including those of Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, accused of war crimes in the Central African Republic.
Ali Mohammed Ali Abdul Rahman, linked to Sudan’s Janjaweed militia, faced trial for atrocities committed in Darfur.

The ICC’s Detention Centre

The ICC’s detention centre is in Scheveningen, a seaside suburb of The Hague, Netherlands. It is located within a high-security Dutch prison complex.
Detainees have access to books, TV, news, sports facilities, and a gym. They can also use computers for their legal defense and receive family visits.
If a person is convicted, they do not serve their sentence at the ICC but are sent to a prison in another country. Currently, five suspects are held at the centre, including individuals from the Central African Republic, Mali, and Sudan.

ICC Arrest Warrants

Since 2002, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for many individuals, including:

Vladimir Putin (Russian President) – Accused of involvement in child abductions from Ukraine. He denies the charges.
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister) – Accused, along with his former defense minister and Hamas’ military leader, of crimes related to the Gaza war. Netanyahu has rejected the charges.
Joseph Kony (Leader of the Ugandan rebel group, Lord’s Resistance Army) and Omar al-Bashir (Former President of Sudan) are also wanted by the ICC.

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