Duterte arrested in Manila for drug war violations

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, 2025, under an International Criminal Court warrant. This follows an investigation into his controversial war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Duterte's drug war began shortly after he took office, with police killings exceeding 6,200 officially reported deaths. Activists claim the actual number is much higher, with many victims killed under suspicious circumstances. The ICC's investigation resumed in 2023 after concerns about the Philippines' judicial system. Initially, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but the court retained jurisdiction over crimes committed during his presidency. The current government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has indicated a willingness to cooperate with the ICC following Duterte's arrest.