Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila, causing a huge uproar. According to a statement from Malacañang, the action was based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing him of crimes against humanity committed during his "war on drugs" while in office.
However, the Philippines had officially withdrawn from the ICC in 2019. Is there a reason to comply with the ICC's arrest warrant? The legality of this arrest has been widely questioned!
Arrest details: Taken away immediately after getting off the plane
Duterte was detained by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Manila branch of Interpol immediately after returning to the Philippines from Hong Kong and arriving at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). He was taken to Villamor Air Base and held in Kalayaan Hall.
As a former president and one of the Philippines' top political figures, it's no wonder that this iron-fisted man couldn't help but get angry and see his blood pressure soar, saying: You might as well kill me!
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, Duterte questioned the legal basis of the arrest on the spot and repeatedly requested to see the official arrest warrant, but the police failed to provide a paper copy, saying the arrest warrant was not brought, and also refused his lawyer's involvement. Duterte angrily stated at the air base: "What is the legal basis? What crime did I commit? I didn't come voluntarily, I was brought here by force."
Reactions from various parties: Family members outraged, supporters protest
Regarding Duterte's sudden arrest, his family members issued strong condemnations, considering it an "illegal detention." His daughter, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, stated on social media: "The ICC's arrest warrant has no legal effect in the Philippines, this is outright political persecution!"
A large number of supporters quickly gathered outside Villamor Air Base, creating a charged atmosphere. About 250 protesters shouted Duterte's name and demanded the resignation of current President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Major General Nicolas Torres.
The scene was momentarily chaotic, with some protesters becoming highly emotional, forcing security personnel to deploy additional forces to maintain order. So far, the Philippine government has not formally responded to this sudden protest, while the international community is closely monitoring the situation.
Another daughter, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, was even more furious, publicly stating: "Handing over a Filipino citizen, a former national leader, to the International Court is a serious violation of Philippine sovereignty!"
Meanwhile, Duterte's personal doctor revealed that the 79-year-old's blood sugar had soared to 328 (mg/dL) during detention, risking diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), but he did not receive timely medical treatment. Duterte's younger daughter Veronica "Kitty" Duterte also posted on Instagram criticizing: "They do not allow my father to receive the urgent treatment he needs."
On the supporters' side, a large number of Filipino citizens gathered outside Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, shouting "Free Duterte!" which alarmed the police, who were fully armed. Fortunately, no conflicts or casualties occurred.
It's not unusual for the ICC to issue arrest warrants for political figures, so why was Duterte specifically caught?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for political figures from multiple countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Sudanese President Bashir, but most countries have ignored or even outright refused to cooperate. For example, Russia simply states: Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC.
As for the Philippines? The Philippines had already withdrawn from the Rome Statute in 2019, theoretically freeing it from the ICC's orders.
However, the Philippine government quickly executed the arrest this time and swiftly sent Duterte to the Netherlands, making it hard not to suspect that the current President "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. might be doing this for political reasons, aiming to completely eliminate the influence of the Duterte family to clear obstacles for his re-election in 2028.
He himself would never admit it, though, only saying: Although the Philippines has already withdrawn from the ICC, since the cases involved occurred while the Philippines was still a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC still has jurisdiction over the cases.
He also argued that he was informed at 6:30 AM that Interpol had officially issued a global arrest warrant for Duterte, after which he approved the execution of the arrest.
In just 12 hours, Duterte was sent to the Netherlands
Yes, Duterte was arrested in the morning and was escorted onto a plane to The Hague, Netherlands, in the evening to stand trial at the International Criminal Court, accompanied by only three close associates. The Gulfstream V business jet (tail number RPC5219) took off at 20:50 local time, will briefly stop in Dubai for 1 hour, and then fly directly to The Hague, expected to arrive this afternoon at 4 PM (Manila time) in the Netherlands.
Social media videos show Duterte looking serious before boarding, surrounded by heavily armed police. Meanwhile, a large number of supporters gathered to protest around Pasay airport, with high-mobility police patrols everywhere. To prevent the situation from worsening, the high-mobility police patrol team (HPG) also blocked roads near Terminal 3 to disperse the protesters.
Anticipating the consequences, the Marcos government had early deployments
After Duterte's arrest, the situation in the Philippines became increasingly tense. Social media reports stated that protests erupted in multiple places in the Philippines last night, and the police announced this morning that they were on "high alert," with national police forces strengthened. Days before the arrest of Duterte, the government had already been strategically mobilizing military and police forces, having strengthened their readiness multiple times in anticipation of unrest.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that the entire country is now on "Red Alert," and the military has also strengthened its protection at key facilities such as the presidential palace and airports. Currently, Duterte's legal team is trying to stop the extradition process. Once he is extradited to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for trial, not only will there be more frequent and widespread riots within the Philippines, but the issue of national sovereignty will also be questioned. The most direct result would be that the 2028 presidential election would enter a heated phase earlier than expected.
If Marcos cannot stabilize the domestic situation, it is very likely that diplomatic relations will also be affected: the attitudes of the United States, China, and ASEAN countries are all different, and if exploited, it will be even harder for Marcos to manage! For the Chinese in the Philippines, security issues will be even harder to guarantee! After all, the Marcos government is now inciting high anti-Chinese sentiment among the Filipino public!
What will the future developments be? How can Chinese in the Philippines protect themselves? Currently, Duterte's arrest has already caused widespread dissatisfaction in Philippine society, and the following scenarios may occur:
Nationwide protests escalate, possibly leading to violent conflicts — Duterte has a large number of supporters in Mindanao in the south, and if the situation escalates, the government may face greater pressure.
Movements within the military are worth watching — Duterte has deep roots in the military and police systems, and if there is a split at the top, it could lead to a more serious political crisis.
Whether the Marcos government will have subsequent suppression actions — If this move indeed has political purging implications, other Duterte-aligned individuals may also face investigation or suppression.
For the Chinese in the Philippines, under the current situation, it is more necessary to pay special attention to safety:
Avoid going to demonstrations and gatherings, and reduce going out at night.
Keep up with local news to ensure you get the latest information as soon as possible.
If the situation further deteriorates, consider temporarily leaving the Philippines, especially for Chinese living in sensitive areas like Manila and Davao.
Businesses and merchants should strengthen security measures to prevent riots from affecting their property.
In summary, Duterte's arrest and rapid extradition have plunged Philippine society into turmoil, and the future development of the situation remains uncertain. Chinese in the Philippines should be vigilant and ensure their safety.
