Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges related to his controversial war on drugs. The 79-year-old arrived in Rotterdam by private jet on Wednesday and was transferred to the ICC detention center.
The court alleges Duterte is an “indirect co-perpetrator” of crimes against humanity, citing “reasonable grounds” to charge him with murder linked to the anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups claim killed tens of thousands.
In a video statement before his transfer, Duterte took full responsibility, saying, “I am the one who led our law enforcement and military. I will be responsible for all of this.”
His arrest sparked mixed reactions. Supporters in The Hague called for his release, claiming he was forcibly taken without due process. Meanwhile, families of drug war victims in the Philippines welcomed the development, emphasizing that Duterte is receiving the legal process their loved ones were denied.
Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the arrest as “oppression and persecution” and flew to the Netherlands to support her father. She is expected to hold a press conference in The Hague on Friday.
The case has also drawn international responses. The United Nations praised the move as a step toward justice, while China accused the ICC of politicization. The court is also facing pushback from U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously imposed sanctions on the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Duterte will remain in ICC custody until his initial court appearance in the coming days.
