The Philippines government announced on Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the Police at Manila International Airport by order of the International Criminal Court (TPI), in relation to a case of crimes against humanity. The Malacañang Palace has confirmed through a statement that Duterte has arrived this morning, about 9:20 hours (local time), Manila from Hong Kong, after Interpol received the official copy of the arrest order.
“The former president and his delegation enjoy good health and have been examined by government doctors, who say they are in good condition. It is currently in custody of the authorities,” says the statement. Hours before, the Duterte himself was willing to “surrender” the court for the alleged human rights violations committed under his administration within the framework of the controversial policies implemented to deal with drug consumption and trafficking.
“If this is truly my destiny in this life, okay, I will accept it. They can arrest and imprison me,” he said. “What is my sin?
The former president arrived in the position in 2016 after a campaign in which he made precisely that “fight against drugs” his flag. The country’s authorities recognize around 6,000 dead as a result of the operations implemented, a figure that could amount to 30,000, as they warn of humanitarian organizations.
The TPI investigation is based on a complaint filed in 2018 by non -governmental organizations and relatives of victims of the “War on Drugs” of Duterte. The former president himself unilaterally withdrew the Philippines of the TPI in 2019 in response to the criticisms of The Hague.
