Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11th.
Key Insights
- The former president of the Philippines was arrested in Manila after returning from his Hong Kong trip.
- Speculation of evading an ICC arrest warrant surrounded Duterte’s unannounced trip to Hong Kong.
- Duterte, along with his daughter, addressed a campaign rally for their political party’s candidates.
- Duterte professed readiness for incarceration, indicating he would accept his arrest if needed.
Duterte’s Hong Kong Visit Amid ICC Scrutiny
Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, made an unannounced trip to Hong Kong that ended with his arrest upon returning to his home country. The visit coincided with increasing scrutiny from the International Criminal Court probing his anti-drug policies and alleged crimes against humanity during his time as president.
Speculation was rife regarding Duterte’s intentions for the trip, with some suggesting he was aiming to evade a potential ICC arrest warrant. However, the former leader of the Philippines stated regarding his potential arrest that, “If this is my fate in life, it’s OK, I’ll accept it. I can’t do anything if I get arrested and jailed.”
Duterte did just that, as he was arrested on an ICC warrant immediately upon arriving back in Manila from his trip.
While in Hong Kong, Duterte attended a political rally alongside Vice President Sara Duterte, boosting their party’s senatorial candidates. Media attention was significant, capturing the nuances of the visit. However, despite the public nature of their speeches, questions lingered regarding the implications of this trip on Duterte’s legal standing.
The ICC Investigation and Duterte’s Stance
The ICC’s investigation focused on Duterte’s intense law enforcement measures against drugs, leading to numerous fatalities among suspects. Duterte has consistently denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, though he conceded to threatening drug dealers during his presidency. He regards the ICC’s actions with a dismissive stance but publicly acknowledged the possibility of arrest, expressing the readiness to face potential consequences.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s involvement in the campaign rally adds another layer to the narrative. Her political influence is growing, and her presence in Hong Kong suggests a strategic alignment with her father. The rally forms part of a broader campaign to solidify their party’s influence abroad, leveraging the support of Filipino expatriates in key locations.
International Implications and Legal Maneuverings
The visit is not just politically significant but also holds legal implications. Duterte’s trip to Hong Kong, a region under China’s jurisdiction, bears strategic importance as China is not a signatory to the ICC’s Rome Statute. Some speculated that this technicality may have afforded Duterte certain protections from immediate arrest by ICC authorities. This potential loophole was never used by Duterte though, as his arrest was made by an ICC arrest warrant in the capital city of the Philippines, not China.
Sources
1. Philippine ex-President Duterte brushes off possible arrest by ICC on a trip to Hong Kong
