Former president Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has been arrested by Philippine police after an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant accuses Duterte of committing crimes against humanity due to his deadly “war on drugs” during his presidency.
The 79-year-old Duterte was taken into police custody upon his arrival at Manila airport from Hong Kong. His daughter had previously stated that he was being “forcibly” sent to the Hague in the Netherlands, where the ICC is located.
Duterte’s “war on drugs” has been highly controversial, with thousands of alleged drug suspects being killed by police and vigilantes during his time in office. The ICC had been investigating these killings as possible crimes against humanity.
The arrest of a former head of state is a rare occurrence, and it highlights the serious allegations surrounding Duterte’s actions during his presidency. It remains to be seen how this arrest will impact the political landscape in the Philippines and whether Duterte will face trial at the ICC for the alleged crimes.
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