Rodrigo Duterte, who oversaw Philippines’ brutal “war on drugs,” was taken into custody upon his return from Hong Kong on 11 March
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by authorities in Manila on an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. According to Amnesty International, the arrest is a “long-awaited and monumental step for justice.”
Duterte, who oversaw the country’s brutal “war on drugs,” was taken into custody upon his return from Hong Kong on 11 March. His arrest comes in connection with the ICC’s investigation into widespread extrajudicial killings carried out during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, as well as his tenure as mayor of Davao City, where he allegedly had links to the so-called Davao Death Squad.
‘A Nation of Mourning’
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, described Duterte’s arrest as a long-overdue moment of accountability for thousands of victims and their families.
“Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is a long-awaited and monumental step for justice for the thousands of victims and survivors of his administration’s ‘war on drugs’, which turned much of the Philippines into a nation of mourning,” Callamard said.
She highlighted Duterte’s own words as an indication of the scale of the atrocities committed. “The man who said, ‘my job is to kill’ oversaw the killing of victims – including children – as part of a deliberate, widespread, and well-organised campaign of state-sanctioned killings.”
Amnesty International has repeatedly reported that the violent anti-drug campaign resulted in thousands of unlawful deaths, particularly among marginalised communities. Many of these killings were carried out by police officers or individuals suspected of having links to law enforcement.
Justice Beyond Duterte
While Duterte’s arrest is seen as a victory for international justice, Amnesty International is urging authorities to go further. Callamard stressed that accountability must not end with the former president.
“The ICC investigation covers only some of the crimes committed over the past decade,” she said. “Duterte was at the centre of a grave human rights crisis in the country, but he is not the only one suspected of criminal responsibility, nor have violations stopped since he left office.”
She called on the Philippine government to continue investigations and prosecutions at the domestic level to ensure all those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable.
Next Steps: Transfer to The Hague
The Philippine authorities must now transfer Duterte to the ICC in The Hague, where he will face trial for alleged crimes against humanity. Amnesty International has urged that, pending his transfer, Duterte be afforded all fair trial guarantees and legal rights while in custody.
The human rights organisation has also called on the Philippine government to rejoin the ICC’s Rome Statute and fully cooperate with the court’s investigation. This would include facilitating further arrests if other former or current officials are implicated in crimes linked to the drug war.
Philippines and the ICC: A Complicated History
The Philippines was a state party to the ICC from November 2011 until its withdrawal in March 2019 under Duterte’s leadership. Despite this withdrawal, the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member. The court has been investigating crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s administration and his time as mayor of Davao City from 2011 to 2016.
Duterte’s war on drugs led to thousands of extrajudicial killings, disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable. Amnesty International’s investigations have documented unlawful executions and other human rights violations, which it says amount to crimes against humanity.
A Victory for International Law
Duterte’s arrest sends a strong signal that global justice mechanisms remain effective, Amnesty International said. At a time when international institutions face resistance from various governments, this development reinforces the ICC’s authority in holding leaders accountable for grave human rights abuses.
“The Philippines’ decision to act on the ICC’s warrant is a resolute step, and the government should be commended for it,” Callamard stated. “However, the journey toward full justice is far from over.”
As Duterte’s fate now rests in the hands of international courts, the world will be watching how the Philippine government follows through on its commitment to upholding human rights and justice for the victims of the drug war.
