Philippine Authorities Arrest Former President on ICC Warrant

Jerusalem, 11 March, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- MANILA (PNA) – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is now under police custody after arriving in Manila on Tuesday, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the arrest warrant was received by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Manila from the ICC early Tuesday.

Duterte arrived in the Philippines on a flight from Hong Kong.

Upon arrival, the Prosecutor General presented the official ICC notification confirming the arrest warrant for Duterte, according to the PCO.

The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s illegal drugs war, which, according to human rights groups, led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

“The former president and his team are in good health and are being examined by a government doctor. His good health was confirmed,” the PCO said. Duterte is 79.

The government earlier said it would not cooperate with the ICC investigation against Duterte. However, it noted that the country will be obliged to act in its obligations to the Interpol.

Reacting to the arrest, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada appealed for public calm.

“In this time of heightened emotions and division, I call on the Filipino people to remain calm and exercise sobriety as the legal proceedings unfold. We must refrain from engaging in any form of violence, spreading misinformation, or taking actions that may only further polarize our country,” Estrada said in a statement.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros called Duterte’s arrest a long-awaited moment for the families of thousands killed during his administration’s campaign against drugs.