Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to the brutal “war on drugs” that defined his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Duterte, notorious for his hardline approach to crime, oversaw a crackdown that left thousands dead, drawing global condemnation.
Duterte, who previously served as mayor of Davao City, was known for his tough stance on crime, earning him the moniker “The Punisher.” His 2016 presidential campaign was marked by promises of a relentless war on drug dealers and criminals. He openly encouraged extrajudicial killings, once saying, “Forget the laws on human rights… You drug pushers, hold-up men, and do-nothings, you better go out. Because I’d kill you.”
After taking office on June 30, 2016, Duterte quickly expanded his anti-drug operations nationwide. By the end of the year, police had killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in alleged shootouts. Despite the alarming death toll, his popularity remained high. A 2016 survey by Social Weather Stations showed that 77% of Filipinos were satisfied with his leadership.
Duterte’s government officially reported 6,248 deaths due to the anti-drug campaign by the time he left office in 2022. However, human rights organizations estimate the true figure could be as high as 30,000, including extrajudicial killings targeting urban poor communities. Investigations revealed that many deaths were covered up, with fabricated death certificates listing “natural causes” despite evidence of gunshot wounds.
In 2018, the ICC launched a preliminary investigation into Duterte’s drug war. In response, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, effective March 2019. However, the court maintained jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member.
Though the Philippine government initially resisted ICC involvement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration later indicated cooperation. The ICC resumed its investigation in 2023, citing insufficient Philippine efforts to prosecute abuses. In late 2024, the Marcos government agreed to comply with any ICC warrant, leading to Duterte’s arrest.
His detention marks a significant moment in the fight for accountability, as families of victims and human rights advocates continue seeking justice for the thousands lost in Duterte’s violent crackdown.
