Rodrigo Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity, Palace confirms

MANILA. Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody following his arrest for crimes against humanity, in connection with the controversial war on drugs conducted during his administration.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) disclosed that the arrest was executed upon Duterte’s arrival in Manila, where the Prosecutor General served the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Kaninang madaling araw, natanggap ng INTERPOL Manila ang official copy ng warrant of arrest mula sa International Criminal Court (ICC),” the PCO stated.

(Early this morning, INTERPOL Manila received the official copy of the warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court.)

“Sa kanyang pagdating, inihain ng Prosecutor General ang ICC notification para sa isang arrest warrant sa dating Pangulo para sa krimen laban sa sangkatauhan,” it added.

(Upon his arrival, the Prosecutor General served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant on the former President for crimes against humanity.)

Legal Debate Over Arrest

The Department of Justice has yet to release a statement regarding Duterte’s arrest. Meanwhile, former presidential legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo denounced the move as unlawful, claiming that Duterte was denied legal representation at the time of his arrest.

“It’s unlawful arrest. The PNP didn’t allow one of his lawyers to meet him at the airport and to question the legal basis for PRRD’s arrest,” Panelo stated.

“He was deprived of legal representation at the time of his arrest,” he added. “The PNP could not have a hard copy of the warrant of arrest.”

Panelo further argued that the refusal to allow Duterte’s lawyers access at the time of arrest was a deliberate attempt to avoid questioning the validity of the warrant.

“It is an illegal arrest because the ICC arrest warrant comes from a spurious source, the ICC, which has no jurisdiction over the Philippines,” he claimed.

The former Duterte spokesperson also warned that government officials involved in the arrest could be held criminally liable for their actions.

Duterte’s Condition and Security Measures

Following the arrest, government doctors assessed Duterte’s condition to ensure his well-being.

“Ang dating Pangulo at ang kanyang grupo ay nasa mabuting kalusugan at sinuri ng mga doktor ng gobyerno. Sinigurado na siya ay nasa maayos na kalagayan,” the PCO stated.

(The former president and his group are in good condition after being checked by government doctors. They ensured that he [Duterte] is in good health.)

Police officials who served the warrant were equipped with body cameras to document the operation, according to the PCO.

“Ang mga opisyal ng PNP na nagpatupad ng warrant ay tiniyak na may suot na body camera,” the PCO added. “Sa ngayon, nasa kustodiya na siya ng mga kinauukulan.”

(The PNP officials who served the warrant wore body cameras. At present, Duterte is under the custody of authorities.)

ICC’s Investigation on Duterte’s Drug War

The ICC has been investigating Duterte and top officials of his administration for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his aggressive anti-drug campaign. Official police records indicate that around 6,000 individuals were killed in drug-related operations. However, human rights groups claim the death toll is closer to 30,000, including victims of vigilante killings.

Duterte had previously stated that he was ready to face the ICC’s warrant, asserting that he would confront the charges head-on as a lawyer rather than seeking refuge abroad.

This arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political battle surrounding Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, a campaign that has drawn widespread international condemnation.