Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has arrived in the Netherlands to confront allegations of crimes against humanity related to his contentious anti-drug campaign. Following his arrest at Manila airport on Tuesday, Duterte was swiftly transported on a chartered flight via Dubai to The Hague, home of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
At 79 years old, he stands to be the first former Asian leader to face trial at the ICC. Duterte, who governed from 2016 to 2022, oversaw a brutal “war on drugs” that resulted in numerous extrajudicial killings of drug offenders and users.
The Gulfstream G550 aircraft made a stop in Dubai early Wednesday, delaying its departure for hours as Duterte underwent medical evaluations, according to reports. Upon arrival in Rotterdam, the ICC confirmed that Duterte is now in custody facing charges of murder as a crime against humanity. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled soon.
Outside The Hague Penitentiary Institution, supporters rallied in protest of his arrest, waving Philippine flags and displaying banners expressing their solidarity with Duterte. Current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who previously opposed cooperating with the ICC investigation, played a crucial role in Duterte’s extradition. Following Duterte’s departure from Philippine airspace, Marcos addressed the nation, asserting the country’s commitment to its legal obligations.
The political relationship between the Duterte and Marcos families has soured after their alliance helped secure electoral victories in 2022. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, criticized her father’s arrest as “kidnapping,” claiming it infringed on Philippine sovereignty. She reportedly traveled to the Netherlands shortly thereafter.
Duterte has long maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines since he withdrew from the court in 2019. However, under the Rome Statute, the ICC retains authority over alleged crimes committed prior to a country’s withdrawal. The ongoing investigation pertains to events between 2011 and 2019, including Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City, where allegations suggest he employed “death squads” to target drug suspects.
Human Rights Watch hailed Duterte’s arrest as a significant move towards accountability in the Philippines. Although he was known for transforming Davao into one of the country’s safer cities and gaining popularity for his tough stance on crime during his presidency, reactions to his arrest have been polarized. While some expressed satisfaction with the ICC’s actions, others defended Duterte’s legacy and called for protests against what they perceive as an unjust arrest.
