Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Tuesday (March 11) following his arrest.
Duterte was arrested at Manila Airport based on an ICC warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity during his anti-drug campaign as president.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, had launched a controversial nationwide war on drugs, which led to thousands of deaths and widespread international condemnation. At 79, he becomes the first former Asian president to face trial at the ICC.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that Duterte was transferred to The Hague to face charges related to human rights violations during his drug war. He stated that the arrest was carried out under Interpol’s directives.
Duterte had repeatedly criticized the ICC and, in 2019, withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s founding treaty after the court launched an investigation into his administration’s actions.
According to Philippine police, 6,200 suspects were killed during Duterte’s drug war, but human rights groups argue the real number is much higher. ICC prosecutors estimate around 30,000 people may have been killed by police or unidentified assailants.