In Manila, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte faced a dramatic confrontation with law enforcement after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre gave new details about the tense standoff that occurred at a Philippine air base. The 79-year-old Duterte was eventually transported to The Hague, Netherlands, where he faced charges of crimes against humanity.
During his presidency, Duterte was notorious for his severe anti-crime campaigns, alongside controversial remarks that included calling Pope Francis a “son of a bitch” and telling U.S. President Barack Obama to “go to hell.” Human rights organizations viewed Duterte’s arrest as a significant victory against state-sanctioned violence and an affirmation of international justice.
The arrest unfolded when Duterte arrived at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport with his family and friends, planning a trip from Hong Kong. Once detained, he was brought to Villamor Air Base to be processed. However, Duterte, supported by his family and legal team, resisted the arrest and the attempt to escort him to a plane bound for The Hague, leading to a protracted standoff.
The tension at the air base lasted approximately 12 hours. Torre outlined the confrontation’s intensity, recounting an instance of an officer being injured by Duterte’s common-law wife. Borges maintained his composure, even as Duterte’s daughter unleashed insults at him. Duterte, previously a prosecutor and congressman, refused to comply with fingerprinting. Subsequently, his executive secretary was arrested for obstructing the transfer process.
A viral video circulated on social media, capturing Duterte, surrounded by his supporters, challenging Torre. Duterte defiantly stated, “You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague,” to which Torre calmly replied that it was not their intention while his team secured the scene.
Duterte’s legal advisors claimed that the arrest was unconstitutional, as authorities did not present a copy of the ICC warrant. They criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration for permitting the ICC’s intervention despite the Philippines’ official departure from the court. Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the action as an infringement on national sovereignty and an insult to Filipino independence.
President Marcos responded to these accusations on national television, refuting the vice president’s claims. The intervention followed a falling out between Marcos and the vice president, an alliance which had initially been formed during the 2022 election campaign.
Prior to his arrest, Duterte addressed supporters in Hong Kong, acknowledging the ICC warrant and expressing his resignation to potential imprisonment. His acceptance, laced with profanities, reflected his longstanding reputation for employing aggressive tactics against criminal activity, particularly in his declared war on drugs that led to countless deaths.
During his presidency, an altercation with Obama ensued after the U.S. leader criticized Duterte’s approach to the drug war. In a separate incident, Duterte shocked many when he insulted Pope Francis during a visit to the Philippines, later apologizing after widespread Catholic outcry. The ex-president’s legacy remains contentious, marked by decisive action and divisive rhetoric.
