Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity in drug war

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 12, 2025, under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The warrant accuses him of crimes against humanity related to his controversial "war on drugs" that resulted in thousands of deaths. Duterte's drug war, which began in 2016, led to the deaths of at least 6,248 people, according to official figures. Activists claim the actual number is much higher, with many victims killed under suspicious circumstances. The ICC's investigation into these killings resumed in 2023 after concerns about the Philippines' judicial system. The ICC warrant, issued on March 7, charges Duterte with murder as a crime against humanity. It alleges he oversaw a systematic attack on civilians, targeting those suspected of drug-related crimes. The court found reasonable grounds to hold him responsible for numerous killings linked to law enforcement and the Davao Death Squad.