Duterte arrested in Manila over drug war killings

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday at Manila's main airport. This follows a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding alleged extrajudicial killings during his controversial "war on drugs." Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, has faced accusations of overseeing thousands of killings. He has denied ordering these murders, claiming police acted in self-defense. His arrest marks a significant shift after years of defiance against the ICC. Duterte's former legal counsel called the arrest unlawful, asserting that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch welcomed the arrest, viewing it as a step toward accountability for victims of the drug war.