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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands, after being arrested on Tuesday night to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was disclosed by Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also his daughter, as reported by The Manila Times.
He becomes the first former president from Asia to be brought to trial by the ICC.
In her statement, Sara Duterte referred to the handover of her father to the ICC as "oppression and persecution" and a "humiliation" to the sovereignty of the Philippines, and an insult to all Filipinos who acknowledge their independence.
"Since he was taken this morning, he has not been brought before any competent judicial authority to assert his rights and to allow him to avail of reliefs provided by law," Duterte said.
"He is being forcibly taken to The Hague," Sara added.
Philippine media channels reported that the former president was escorted onto a plane bound for the Netherlands, which houses the ICC headquarters.
Earlier, the Philippine presidential office stated that Duterte was held at Manila airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
"Early in the morning, Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant of the arrest from the ICC," said the Malacanang presidential palace in a statement.
Police officials said 379 officers were deployed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport to ensure "peaceful and orderly" process in executing the arrest warrant.
The statement added that the "the former president and his group are in good health and are being checked by government doctors."
The 79-year-old Duterte is accused of allowing extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations in his efforts to combat drugs.
On Monday, Duterte had expressed willingness to go to jail if there was an ICC arrest warrant.
However, after the warrant was issued, he turned down his detention, especially because it was carried out by Western authorities, according to a report in The Philippine Star newspaper.
Duterte demanded to know the basis of his arrest in a video uploaded to his youngest daughter Veronica's Instagram account after his detention.
"So what is the law and what is the crime that I committed? Show to me now the legal basis of my being here," he said in the video.
"I was brought here not of my own volition but somebody else's... you have to answer now for the deprivation of liberty."
Although the location of the video was not disclosed, a photo released by his political party said he was held at Villamor Air Base. Unconfirmed reports indicated that he later boarded a chartered plane that would take him to The Hague.
Duterte's former chief legal adviser, Salvador Panelo, called the arrest "unlawful."
"The [Philippine National Police] didn't allow one of his lawyers to meet him at the airport and to question the legal basis for PRRD's arrest," he said, adding that a copy of the ICC arrest warrant had yet to be provided.
However, lawyer Krisinta Conti, an assistant legal adviser at the ICC, said the arrest warrant for Duterte is subject to ICC's strict confidentiality protocol.
Conti pointed out that unlike domestic courts that openly announce arrest warrants, the ICC often keeps them secret to prevent suspects from evading arrest.
"All events during the investigation are kept secret," Conti said, noting that announcing the arrest warrant too early could lead important people to flee or obstruct justice.
She added that someone sought by the court must be taken into custody and promptly flown to The Hague, where formal legal proceedings begin.
The standard process starts with the arrest and detention of the suspect by law enforcement in the country where they are located. Authorities then notify the ICC and coordinate the logistical transfer. Once arrangements are finalized, secure international transportation is arranged to transfer the suspect to the ICC headquarters.
More than 6,000 people allegedly involved in drug crimes were killed in anti-narcotics operations during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency from 2016 to 2022. The killings prompted an ICC investigation into allegations of human rights abuses.
In March 2018, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which serves as the foundation of the ICC. By July 2023, the country refused to cooperate with the international court, choosing instead to conduct its investigation.
However, in November 2024, the Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed not to prevent Duterte's detention by the ICC, and earlier this January, they stated they would comply with the ICC's arrest warrant for Duterte.
Duterte's supporters have gathered outside his home in Davao City, protesting what they claim is politically motivated prosecution.
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