By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent
and Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief
FORMER Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested yesterday, March 11, upon his arrival from Hong Kong under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s deadly war on drugs.
Duterte, who landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) aboard a Cathay Pacific commercial flight, initially resisted arrest, demanding authorities present the warrant before he complied.
“A warrant of arrest? Then you’ll just have to kill me. I will not allow this if you are siding with the foreigners,” Duterte was seen saying in a video uploaded online while still aboard the plane.
Despite his initial protest, Duterte was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in coordination with Interpol. He was transported to Kalayaan Hall at Villamor Air Base for processing.
Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, who accompanied Duterte during his arrival, expressed concern over the former president’s well-being.
“He has many ailments. He is turning 80 on March 28,” Go said, emphasizing that Duterte’s health should be prioritized.
In a statement, Malacañang confirmed the ICC-issued arrest warrant and assured the public that Duterte was in good condition after being examined by government doctors.
“The PNP officers who carried out the warrant ensured they were wearing body cameras,” the Presidential Communications Office said.
In an interview with SMNI News, Duterte maintained that his detention was unlawful, reiterating that no warrant had been presented to him.
“I don’t remember committing any crime, but I know I’ve done things that some people didn’t like,” he said.
Duterte’s supporters swiftly mobilized following the arrest. Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Joyleen Balaba, who is gunning to be reelected this year, called for a prayer rally at Gaston Park to protest his detention.
The ICC’s arrest warrant stems from allegations of crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths. While official figures place the death toll at around 6,200, human rights groups estimate the number to be over 12,000.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a longtime Duterte critic, said in an interview that the ICC case had been years in the making.
“The fight has been long. The Magdalo team started working on this complaint as early as 2017,” Trillanes said.
It remains unclear how long Duterte will stay in the Philippines before potential extradition to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is headquartered.
