5 days ago
23
March 11, 2025 | 03:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte questioned the legal grounds for his arrest by the police on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. According to ABS-CBN, Philippine authorities acted on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant citing crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.
A viral video posted by his daughter, Veronica, on social media shows Duterte seated at what appears to be Villamor Air Base. After arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong, he is seen confronting authorities about the legal basis for his detention.
“What is the law and what is the crime that I committed? Explain to me now the legal basis for my being here as apparently I was brought here not of my own volition. It’s somebody else’s,” Duterte stated.
“You have to answer now for the deprivation of liberty… Have you read the case at the time you made the arrest so that you should be guided on what you should know?" he added.
Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also challenged the ICC’s warrant, calling it "questionable."
"Do you know that he hasn't even been served with what charges he's being charged with now? He doesn't know. All the charges against him are in the newspaper," Medialdea said.
“You are the prosecutor general. You know how to exercise due process. You know before you can file charges you have to file a complaint, we have to file a counter affidavit,” he argued.
Medialdea further emphasized that the Philippines had long withdrawn from the ICC, which no longer holds jurisdiction over the country.
"Don't you realize that we are doing this, that we are following an entity that we are no longer a member of, that we have withdrawn," he asserted.
Duterte was accompanied by his partner, Honeylet, and their daughters, Veronica and Mira. Earlier this week, he stated multiple times that he was prepared to face arrest or even imprisonment.
"All I ask of you is that since this is my luck in life, it's okay, I'll accept it. We can't do anything if we're locked up," Duterte told overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Before leaving Hong Kong, Duterte dismissed the need for a large police presence at NAIA, stating he was willing to surrender voluntarily.
"I'm not like that, playing hide and seek. I became president, who am I hiding from? Police? Army? Who? ICC? I've been waiting for that for a long time since I was still vice mayor," he said in an interview with SMNI.
“If they want to arrest me, I will go to them,” he added.
The Malacañang Presidential Palace later confirmed that the ICC prosecutor had issued a "notice of arrest warrant" against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.
The case stems from thousands of extrajudicial killings recorded during Duterte’s presidency, during which he repeatedly urged police—through public speeches—to kill drug users and dealers.
Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on Interpol Red Notice
1 jam lalu
The ICC is investigating Rodrigo Duterte and several other officials in his government for alleged crimes against humanity in anti-drug operations.
BREAKING NEWS: Rodrigo Duterte Arrested
3 jam lalu
Former Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after landing at Manila International Airport.
Polri Chief Pledges Strict Action Against Ngada Police Chief in Drugs, Sexual Abuse Case
19 jam lalu
Propam Polri questions Ngada Police Chief Fajar Widyadharma over allegations of drug and sexual abuse of minors.
BNN Chief: Drug Addicts Who Voluntarily Report Will Not Face Legal Action
6 hari lalu
Head of BNN Komjen Marthinus Hukom stated that drug addicts will receive rehabilitation to be free from the grip of narcotics.
Sri Lanka Hunts Police Chief Over Deadly Drug Raid
8 hari lalu
Sri Lanka's police are searching for their leader on Sunday after a court order for his arrest was issued.
UN: More than 100,000 Palestinian Students Return to Schools in Gaza
11 hari lalu
UN spokesperson mentioned that 165 public schools have reopened in Gaza to date.
North Sumatra Police Seize 97 Kg of Meth and 2K Ecstasy Pills in 25 Drug Busts
14 hari lalu
Authorities arrested 37 suspects of drug trafficking, seizing 97.08 kilograms of methamphetamine, 38 grams of marijuana, and 2,180 ecstasy pills.
Legendary Musician Fariz RM Nabbed for the Fourth Time for Drug Abuse
19 hari lalu
Fariz RM is arrested for the fourth time for drug abuse. The police once suspected the musician had inflicted violence on himself.
Corrections Ministry Dismisses 44 Prison Officers over Drug Cases
19 hari lalu
Among the 44 prison officers, two in Central Kalimantan are undergoing criminal legal processes.
The Dangers of Bacterial Resistance from Antibiotics Misuse
21 hari lalu
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses serious dangers. This includes the patient's illness becoming more serious and recovery taking longer.
