Rodrigo Duterte Arrested at Manila Airport: A New Chapter in the Philippines' Human Rights Saga
The Philippine government confirmed on Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested at Manila International Airport, following an order from the International Criminal Court (ICC) linked to allegations of crimes against humanity. According to a statement released by Malacañang Palace, Duterte, who arrived in Manila from Hong Kong around 9:20 AM local time, was taken into custody after Interpol received the official arrest warrant.
Duterte and his entourage are reportedly in good health, having undergone checks by government doctors post-arrival. The statement from the government reassured the public that all individuals involved are in stable condition.
Prior to his arrest, Duterte had openly expressed his willingness to cooperate with the judicial process, reassuring the public of his readiness to face the charges against him for alleged human rights violations during his presidency, particularly in relation to his controversial war on drugs policy. "If this is truly my destiny in this life, then so be it. I will accept it. They can arrest and imprison me," Duterte stated, downplaying the impact of the accusations while reaffirming his commitment to promoting peace in the Philippines.
Duterte's war on drugs, which has drawn widespread international condemnation, was a central theme of his 2016 election campaign, promising to eradicate drug-related crime. Government figures indicate around 6,000 deaths linked to these operations; however, humanitarian organizations estimate the actual toll could be as high as 30,000.
The investigation by the ICC stems from a complaint made in 2018 by non-governmental organizations and families of victims affected by Duterte's aggressive anti-drug strategy. In a controversial move, Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019, following mounting criticism from the international community regarding his administration's human rights record.
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