Former president Duterte under PNP custody

Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) took custody of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, 11 March, after he was served an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

This came after his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong.

Duterte arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 around 9:20 AM via Cathay Pacific flight CX907, accompanied by his longtime partner, Honeylet Avanceña, other family members, and close allies. Following his arrival, they were escorted by CIDG personnel after meeting with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and supporters in Hong Kong a day prior.

Amid tight security at NAIA, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil personally ensured peace and order at the airport.

CIDG Chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre III, along with representatives from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), were also present.

Reports indicated that Duterte initially refused to leave the plane after being notified of the arrest warrant. "You will have to kill me if I refuse to exit," Duterte could be heard saying in a video posted by a news organization while arguing with officials.

Eventually, he agreed to comply with the protocols.

It was later reported that Duterte was transferred to Villamor Airbase, where he would be flown to The Hague.

Duterte is under investigation by the ICC for his administration's bloody "war on drugs," which was launched after he won the 2016 national elections.

Police records indicate that around 6,000 drug suspects died during Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign. However, human rights groups estimate the actual number could be as high as 30,000, including those killed vigilante-style by motorcycle-riding assailants.