Rodrigo Duterte, ex-Philippine president, arrested on ICC warrant

Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday on an Interpol arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court amid accusations that he committed crimes against humanity during his war on drugs.

HONG KONG — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday, the Philippine government said, on an Interpol arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court amid accusations that he committed crimes against humanity during his deadly war on drugs.

Duterte, 79, who left office in 2022, was arrested at the international airport in Manila after his arrival from Hong Kong.

Rights groups say tens of thousands of unarmed suspects were murdered in extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s crackdown on narcotics dealers, allegations he has denied. The populist politician campaigned heavily on his “drug war” policy while running for office in 2016, and it defined his presidency.

Duterte, who is in custody now, is in good health, the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.

Salvador Panelo, a former lawyer and spokesperson for Duterte during his presidency, said in a statement that Duterte’s arrest was unlawful and that he has no legal representation, Reuters reported.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-arrested-icc-warrant-rcna195759

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