MANILA, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday after arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong. Police officers escorted him to Camp Crame, where he will go through a booking process.
How Did It Happen?
Duterte landed in Manila on a Cathay Pacific flight (CX907) after a vacation. But as soon as he stepped off the plane, a police officer named Anthony Alcantara handed him an arrest warrant. Alcantara works as a special envoy on Transnational Crime under the Office of the President.
Many important government and police officials were waiting for Duterte at Arrival Gate 116 of Terminal 3. Among them were people from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and even representatives from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte was then moved to a different airport terminal. His supporters quickly gathered and started chanting his name when Philip Salvador, Senator Bong Go, and former Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello arrived.
Why Was Duterte Arrested?
Duterte could be facing serious criminal charges related to his war on drugs—a campaign that made him popular when he became president in 2016. Reports say that Interpol (the International Criminal Police Organization) has issued a Red Notice against him.
A Red Notice is like a worldwide alarm that tells police officers in different countries to arrest a person who is wanted for serious crimes.
Although Philippine authorities have not yet confirmed the exact charges, many believe they are related to the ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s actions during his war on drugs.
What Did the ICC Find?
Back in September 2021, the ICC officially started investigating Duterte’s war on drugs. The court says there is evidence that thousands of people were killed during anti-drug operations, many without a fair trial. The ICC believes these killings may be crimes against humanity because they were done in a systematic way.
What Happens Next?
Duterte will now go through documentation at Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). This means police will take his fingerprints, mugshot (photo), and personal details as part of the legal process.
It is still unclear what his next steps will be, but this arrest could have a huge impact on the Philippines’ politics and justice system.
