The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed the arrest and transfer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to The Hague, following his detention by Philippine authorities on March 11, 2025.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity, specifically murder under Article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute. The ICC alleges that Duterte, as the founder and leader of the Davao Death Squad, mayor of Davao City, and later as the country’s president, played a key role in orchestrating extrajudicial killings as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
The arrest warrant for Duterte was issued by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on March 7, 2025, which determined that there were reasonable grounds to believe he bore criminal responsibility for the alleged crimes. The court further clarified that the Philippines was a State Party to the Rome Statute during the period in question, establishing the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case.
Duterte’s arrest marks a major development in the ongoing ICC investigation into human rights violations committed during his controversial “war on drugs” campaign. The Office of the Prosecutor, under the leadership of Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, has credited its Philippines Unified Team and the newly established Tracking and Information Fusion Section for facilitating the arrest.
“This is a crucial step in our continuous efforts to ensure accountability for victims of serious crimes under ICC jurisdiction,” the Office of the Prosecutor stated. It also acknowledged the bravery of victims, survivors, witnesses, and activists who have cooperated in the investigation, encouraging further information-sharing through its Witness Appeal portal.
The Philippines officially withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, following Duterte’s objections to ICC scrutiny. However, the court asserts that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.
With Duterte now in ICC custody, preparations are underway for his initial court appearance and subsequent judicial proceedings. Meanwhile, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to engaging Philippine authorities for potential cooperation as investigations continue into other alleged perpetrators of Rome Statute crimes.
