Overview

• Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippine president, was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Manila airport and handed over to the ICC to face charges of crimes against humanity.
• The charges stem from Duterte's anti-drug campaign, which allegedly resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, including police-led and vigilante operations.
• The Philippine Senate, led by Senator Imee Marcos, has launched an investigation into the arrest, citing concerns over due process and national sovereignty.
• The arrest has deepened political divisions, particularly between the Marcos and Duterte families, whose alliance unraveled following the 2022 elections.
• Human rights groups have praised the arrest as a step toward accountability, while Duterte's supporters have protested, framing it as a violation of sovereignty.