Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has departed for The Hague, Netherlands, on a chartered jet after being detained by Philippine authorities earlier on Tuesday morning (March 11).
Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. confirmed that Duterte's plane took off on Tuesday night, stating in a press conference that the aircraft was already outside Philippine airspace.
Duterte was earlier placed in government custody at Villamor Air Base in Manila after returning from a flight to the Philippine capital. His detention was carried out under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding his controversial "war on drugs" campaign, a move that Duterte has openly questioned.
On Tuesday night, Vice President Sara Duterte, Duterte's daughter, arrived at Villamor Air Base but could not meet her father before his departure.
Why Was Duterte Detained?
According to a statement from the Philippine Presidential Communications Office, Duterte was detained upon his arrival in Manila at 9:20 AM on March 11.
Duterte, both during his tenure as Mayor of Davao City and as President of the Philippines, spearheaded an aggressive anti-drug campaign that drew significant attention both domestically and internationally.
In February 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) notified the Philippine government that it had launched a preliminary investigation into potential human rights violations linked to Duterte's anti-drug operations. By September 2021, the ICC formally announced an official investigation into the matter.
A copy of the ICC-issued arrest warrant, received by the Interpol Manila office on Tuesday morning, states that the warrant's purpose is to "ensure Duterte's presence in court."
Reactions from Various Sides
The Philippine Presidential Communications Office had previously stated that the Philippine government would comply if the ICC requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Duterte. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz said on March 9 that the government had prepared for any possible developments.
Duterte, who will turn 80 this month, had previously stated in a public gathering that he was prepared for possible arrest if the ICC issued a warrant. "What crime have I committed? Everything I did was to bring peace to the Filipino people," Duterte questioned during the event.
In a video statement released by Duterte's family on March 11, the former president challenged the legality of his detention, asking, "On what legal basis is this being done? What crime have I committed?"
Duterte's arrest has sparked widespread attention and debate across Philippine political circles. Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, attempted to meet him with his doctor and legal counsel at the airport, but they were reportedly denied access.
Former presidential legal adviser and spokesperson Salvador Panelo dismissed the ICC's warrant as "baseless", arguing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which officially withdrew from the court in 2019.
What Happens Next?
Under ICC procedures, a suspect is typically detained by national law enforcement authorities before being transferred to the ICC detention center in The Hague, where they subsequently face trial.
Duterte's detention is expected to intensify political tensions in the Philippines, given the well-known strained relationship between President Marcos and Duterte's political family, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Earlier, Marcos' allies in the House of Representatives launched an impeachment case against Sara Duterte over her alleged misuse of confidential funds, further fueling political divisions. Duterte's detention is expected to further destabilize the country's political landscape.
With midterm elections approaching in May, Duterte had already filed his candidacy for Mayor of Davao City. Despite his legal troubles, Duterte remains widely popular among Filipinos. Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Marcos and Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, warned on March 11 that Duterte's arrest could lead to greater political unrest in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo stated on March 11 that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not issued any directives to its diplomatic mission in The Hague.
"I'm not really familiar with the procedure because we are not a member of the ICC," Manalo said in a chance interview after his meeting with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.
Related News:
Comment