Philippines ex-President Rodrigo Duterte arrested on international warrant

Manila, Philippines – The office of the President of the Philippines has reported the arrest of the country’s ex-President Rodrigo Duterte after receiving a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Duterte was taken into custody on Tuesday at Manila airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong, according to the Philippines government.

Duterte is facing allegations of “crimes against humanity” during a brutal anti-drugs drive while he was in office.

Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs”, while he was president from 2016-2022, deprived suspects of “due process under the law,” according to the arrest warrant, and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, including children.

Defending his actions amid reports of his possible arrest, Duterte had previously said that he “did everything…for the Filipino people.”

“If it’s really my fate in life, that’s okay, I will accept it. There’s nothing I can do about it. If I’m arrested, if I’m jailed, so be it,” he had said.

This is a breaking news story. We will bring you more shortly.

Security officers patrol the airport after former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested, in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday [Aaron Favila/AP]