Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has been arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague for his role in the thousands of killings that occurred during his controversial “war on drugs” campaign. The arrest took place at Manila airport, following Duterte’s visit to Hong Kong.
Duterte, 79, has long been a polarizing figure known for his aggressive stance on eliminating drug suspects. During his tenure as both a city mayor and president, he openly admitted to personally killing drug suspects and encouraged law enforcement to do the same. This behavior has sparked international outrage and led to a 13-year investigation culminating in his arrest.
In a video taken during his arrest, Duterte can be seen questioning the legality of his actions, asking the officers arresting him what laws he had broken. Despite his defiance, he acknowledged that his arrest was inevitable and that he was not there by choice.
The arrest of Duterte marks a significant moment in the Philippines’ history and a potential turning point in the fight against human rights abuses. Critics hope that holding him accountable for the deaths of thousands will set a precedent for future leaders and deter similar actions in the future.
As the case unfolds, many will be watching to see what consequences Duterte will face for his actions and what impact this will have on the Philippines moving forward.
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Video “Moment Duterte arrested for thousands of killings in drug war” was uploaded on 03/11/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times