Ex-Philippine President Duterte arrested over drug killings after ICC warrant
What's the story
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating allegations of "crimes against humanity" during his controversial "war on drugs."
The Philippine government, which received the ICC request via Interpol, placed Duterte under arrest at Manila airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Allegations
Duterte's anti-drug campaign under scrutiny
The ICC's probe hinges on Duterte's brutal anti-drug campaign during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
The complaint alleged that this campaign was marked by violations of "due process under the law," leading to thousands of deaths, including those of children.
Human rights advocates have claimed that the killings numbered more than 30,000, far higher than official police records.
Legal concerns
Duterte questions legality of his arrest
He has offered no apologies for his brutal crackdown, and instead publicly questioned the legality of his arrest, asking, "What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?"
He also demanded an explanation for his detention, saying it wasn't voluntary.
In an address in Hong Kong on Saturday, he defended his actions as president, claiming he "did everything...for the Filipino people."
Withdrawal
ICC's investigation timeline and Duterte's withdrawal
The ICC began examining the complaint into Duterte's anti-drug campaign in 2018.
Though the Philippines had withdrawn from the Rome Statute, an international treaty that established the ICC, human rights advocates see this arrest as a victory for families of victims and their pursuit of justice.
The Rome Statute came into force in 2002, and the Philippines ratified it in 2011.
Controversial orders
Duterte's controversial orders during his presidency
The ICC's probe also examined alleged crimes committed during Duterte's time as Davao City mayor, where he served for two decades.
A previous United Nations report discovered that the majority of victims were young, poor urban males, and that police routinely compelled suspects to give self-incriminating statements or face fatal force.
Duterte is also alleged to have encouraged police officers to "shoot and kill" drug suspects or provoke them into fighting back to justify the use of lethal force.