As the Philippine history is being written anew due to the recent developments in the country’s political landscape following the breakup of Team Unity of the Marcoses and the Dutertes, the Southeast Asia’s “Pearl of the Orient Seas” once more is into the international scene after the national government agreed to honor its commitment to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on the arrest order of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD).
On March 11, 2025, at exactly 11:03pm, Manila time, onboard a private plane, FPRRD together with his ex-executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and youngest daughter, Kitty Duterte left the country escorted by the elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and members of the Interpol and delivered to International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands for the crimes against humanity being alleged to Duterte following his anti-drug war that stemmed from 2011 to 2019 during his stint as Davao City Mayor until his regime in Malacanang.
While the families of the 30,000 victims of alleged extrajudicial killings, including former senator Leila Delima, priests, nuns, and human rights groups claimed the arrest of Duterte is only part of the initial due process that the families of the victims can look forward to, Duterte’s camp including the country’s Vice President Sarah Duterte, older daughter of the former president, labeled her father’s arrest as oppression and persecution noting the national government masterminded what she said as “state kidnapping” to be able to carry out the arrest.
As for the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC on Friday, March 14, Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing was set on Sept. 23, 2025, after the latter’s identity was verified.
As for my two cents, the arrest of ICC—the court of last resort to FPRRD could signal to any powerful leader that is also being charged by their respective people that a day of reckoning would one day come. Therefore, it is important to carry out their rules and policies humanely and ensure that there is justice and fairness to all.