Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on International Criminal Court Warrant

Duterte faces allegations of crimes against humanity for his controversial anti-drug campaign that claimed thousands of lives.

Rodrigo Duterte, 79, was arrested at Manila Airport upon returning from a trip to Hong Kong, following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC accuses Duterte of crimes against humanity tied to his 'war on drugs,' which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 12,000 to 30,000 people, many of them poor and allegedly extrajudicially killed.
Duterte has consistently defended his anti-drug policies, claiming they were necessary to prevent the Philippines from becoming a 'narco-state.'
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte's leadership, but the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal.
Despite the allegations, Duterte remains a popular figure in the Philippines and is campaigning to return as mayor of Davao City in upcoming midterm elections.