Former Philippine President arrested, transferred to The Hague as NGOs hail ‘landmark’ for justice

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on 11 March 2025 following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity. Duterte was transferred to The Hague the same evening, marking a historic moment for international justice and accountability in Southeast Asia. The ICC issued the arrest warrant for Duterte in connection with alleged human rights abuses during his presidency (2016–2022), particularly his controversial "war on drugs," which resulted in an estimated 30,000 deaths. Many of the victims were from marginalized communities, with extrajudicial killings carried out by law enforcement and vigilantes under Duterte’s administration.

International reaction and impact on ASEAN

The arrest has been widely welcomed by human rights organizations. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) praised the Philippine Government’s decision to enforce the ICC warrant despite the country’s 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute. “This is a major boost for accountability at a time when international law and the ICC are under assault,” said SAC-M founding member Yanghee Lee. The implications of Duterte’s arrest extend beyond the Philippines, particularly for Myanmar. In November 2024, the ICC Prosecutor filed an application for an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, over crimes against humanity related to the Rohingya crisis. In February 2025, an Argentine court exercising universal jurisdiction also issued arrest warrants for 25 former senior military and government officials in Myanmar for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity. The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I is expected to issue Min Aung Hlaing’s warrant soon. Additionally, Argentina is set to request INTERPOL’s assistance in apprehending those named in its warrants. SAC-M has called on Myanmar’s National Unity Government, ethnic organizations, and ASEAN to cooperate in securing the arrest of individuals wanted for international crimes. “Duterte’s arrest is a very strong statement,” said SAC-M founding member Marzuki Darusman. “An influential ASEAN member has declared that it respects the ICC and INTERPOL and supports international accountability. This will serve clear notice to Min Aung Hlaing that his time in the dock will surely come."

Calls for further accountability in the Philippines

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has urged the Philippine Government to ensure full cooperation with the ICC. “Duterte’s arrest marks a significant milestone in the Filipino people’s demands for truth, justice, and accountability,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. “The ICC investigation reflects the international community’s call to address the rampant impunity that has shielded Duterte and his accomplices for years.” The organization emphasized that the government must ensure a transparent and independent process that holds perpetrators accountable.

Background on Duterte’s ICC case

Duterte’s presidency was marked by a violent anti-drug campaign that led to widespread human rights violations. Reports from international and local human rights organizations documented thousands of extrajudicial killings, many of which were justified by law enforcement as acts of "self-defense." Families of victims were often left without recourse due to fear of reprisals and a lack of accountability. Duterte repeatedly dismissed ICC investigations, calling them a violation of Philippine sovereignty. In 2019, his administration withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. However, the ICC ruled in 2023 that it retained jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.

What happens next?

Duterte’s arrest and trial could set a precedent for accountability in ASEAN, where political leaders have often evaded prosecution for human rights abuses. The Philippines is preparing to chair ASEAN in 2026 and currently serves in the regional bloc’s Troika mechanism on Myanmar, further amplifying the case’s significance. “At a time when the people of Myanmar have lost all faith in the United Nations, the international human rights system, and the promise of justice, this offers a glimmer of hope,” said SAC-M founding member Chris Sidoti. As Duterte awaits trial at the ICC, the case is expected to test the strength of international justice mechanisms and the willingness of ASEAN nations to support accountability efforts.