The Presidential Communications Office confirmed that Interpol in Manila received an official copy of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier that morning.
“Upon his arrival, the prosecutor general served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant to the former president for the crime of crime against humanity,” the government said in a statement.
“He’s now in the custody of authorities,” it said.
The charge of crimes against humanity stems from Duterte’s harsh anti-drug campaign. During his presidency from 2016 to 2022, the controversial “war on drugs” led to thousands of deaths, including those of children, with the arrest warrant stating that suspects were denied due process under the law.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed Duterte’s arrest, calling it “a crucial step toward accountability in the Philippines.”
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, during Duterte’s administration.
As president, Duterte spearheaded a controversial "war on drugs," which garnered significant attention both locally and internationally.
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