Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity in Philippines

Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Manila airport under a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs. This marks a significant shift from his previous defiance of international scrutiny. Duterte's presidency, which ended in 2022, was marked by a violent crackdown on drug-related crime, resulting in thousands of deaths. Despite his claims of innocence, the ICC's investigation focused on his actions during his time in office and as mayor of Davao. His arrest follows a breakdown in political alliances, particularly with the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, despite Duterte's withdrawal from the court in 2019.