Philippine ex-president arrives in Netherlands following ICC arrest over drug crackdown

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in the Netherlands on March 12, following his dramatic arrest in Manila the day before. 

His arrest was executed on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to his controversial anti-drugs campaign that claimed thousands of lives during his presidency, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Rodrigo Duterte was placed on a flight late on March 11, the current Philippine government confirmed. His youngest daughter, Veronica Duterte, criticised the authorities on Instagram, stating that her father was being taken “by force” without regard for his health conditions.

In a separate statement, Duterte’s elder daughter, Sara Duterte, who is also the vice president of the Philippines, denounced the move as an act of oppression and persecution, adding that her father was being forcibly taken to The Hague.

Duterte’s plane made a stop in Dubai for several hours before arriving in Rotterdam, Netherlands, around 5:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. ET) on March 12. During the layover, Duterte reportedly received medical attention. His first court appearance at the ICC remains uncertain, with the court confirming that he would not be attending on March 12.

The former president’s arrest is a culmination of international scrutiny over his brutal war on drugs, which saw the extrajudicial killing of thousands of alleged drug offenders. Duterte’s policies sparked widespread human rights concerns, particularly due to the number of victims, often from impoverished communities. Despite widespread condemnation, Duterte denied any involvement in extrajudicial killings, though he admitted to ordering police to shoot suspects who resisted arrest.

While Duterte remains popular in regions like Davao, where he served as mayor for nearly two decades, his arrest is being hailed by victims’ families as a step towards justice. Christine Pascual, whose son was killed in the drug crackdown, expressed gratitude, calling the arrest a long-awaited victory for justice.

Duterte’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 was seen as an attempt to shield himself from accountability. However, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member, ensuring that Duterte's legal battle will continue.

By Aghakazim Guliyev