Philippines ex-President Rodrigo Duterte arrested on ICC warrant

WASHINGTON

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday in Manila after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity in his war on drugs.

According to the Philippine government, Duterte was taken into custody at the airport in the capital after returning from a trip to Hong Kong.

"The former president and his entourage are in good health and have been examined by government doctors. They have assured him that he is in good condition," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

When he was in Hong Kong, Duterte said that he was prepared for his possible arrest.

"If this is truly my fate in life, it's okay. I will accept it. They can arrest me, imprison me," he said while addressing a rally of Hong Kong-based Filipino workers.

Reports indicate that the ICC issued Duterte's arrest order as part of its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during his nationwide anti-drug trafficking operations between 2016 and 2022.

Duterte has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction and has declined to cooperate with its investigations.

Despite the Philippines withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.