Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, 11 March and taken to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of crimes against humanity. The arrest has sparked a wave of mixed reactions across the country, with political allies and supporters questioning the legal basis of his detention and expressing concerns over national sovereignty.

Duterte was apprehended upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after returning from Hong Kong. He was taken into custody by Philippine authorities following a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC). By late Tuesday evening, he was transported via a chartered flight to The Hague, where he is expected to stand trial for alleged human rights violations linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

Former Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol, a longtime friend of Duterte, described the arrest as a “huge insult” to the Philippine judicial system. He lamented that Duterte, who brokered peace in Mindanao and made the streets safer, was now facing trial in a foreign court. Piñol questioned why a Filipino leader should be judged by foreign judges instead of the country’s own legal system.

Reactions from allies

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go strongly condemned the ICC’s actions, calling the arrest an affront to Philippine sovereignty. He reiterated that the ICC should not interfere in the country’s domestic affairs, especially since the Philippines is no longer a member of the court.

“The former president has always been willing to face any charges, as long as he is judged by his fellow Filipinos,” Go stated. He also raised concerns about Duterte’s health, noting that the former president was scheduled for a hospital admission due to rising glucose levels. “I appeal to authorities to prioritize his health and well-being. Every Filipino has the right to proper medical attention.”

Similarly, former senator and senatorial candidate Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan condemned the manner in which Duterte was arrested, likening it to a dangerous precedent that could undermine the Philippine justice system.

“What is happening now raises serious questions about our nation’s sovereignty and our ability to uphold our own justice system,” Honasan stated. “If there are charges against former President Duterte, then our own courts—not the International Criminal Court and its foreign judges—must handle the case.”

The Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party, which has been closely associated with Duterte, released a strong statement condemning the arrest as a “grave miscarriage of justice.”

“The lack of due process, coupled with the Philippines' non-membership in the ICC, raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of these proceedings. This action reeks of political persecution, a blatant attempt by the BBM administration to deflect attention from the far more critical issues facing our nation: the scandalous misuse of public funds, rampant corruption within the government, and the devastating poverty experienced by millions of Filipinos,” the statement read.

“We, the Filipino people, must stand united against this injustice. We must demand accountability from our leaders, transparency in government operations, and an end to the political maneuvering that diverts attention from the urgent need to address poverty and corruption.”

A divided nation

Duterte’s arrest has reignited the long-standing debate over the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, as the country formally exited the court in 2019 under Duterte’s administration. His supporters argue that his arrest and trial in an international court undermine the country’s ability to enforce its own laws, while critics see this as a long-overdue reckoning for the controversial leader’s human rights record.

Despite mounting opposition from political allies, the Philippine government has defended its decision to comply with Interpol’s request, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement.

“We are a member of the community of nations,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a press conference. “We must live up to our responsibilities to the commitments we have made.”

Duterte’s trial at The Hague is expected to be a lengthy process, and his fate remains uncertain. As the Philippines grapples with the implications of his arrest, the case has set the stage for a crucial debate on justice, accountability, and the nation’s role in the international legal order.