Manila, Philippines – The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant has ignited strong reactions from his family, who allege mistreatment during his detention, and plan legal actions to contest his extradition.

Family alleges mistreatment

Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, the former president's youngest daughter, took to Instagram to express her distress over the arrest. She claimed that authorities denied her father necessary medical attention, stating, "We are being illegally detained at 250th Presidential Airlift Wing Col Jesus Villamor Air Base Pasay City. They aren't allowing my dad to seek the medical attention he badly needs." She also shared a doctor's note indicating that her father's glucose levels had spiked to 328 despite insulin treatment. 

In a separate post, Kitty Duterte shared an image of a distressed shirt, lamenting the alleged "harassment" her family endured from the "supposed protectors" of the country during her father's arrest.

Legal actions planned

Salvador Panelo, former chief legal counsel for Duterte, announced that Kitty Duterte intends to file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the Supreme Court. The petition aims to challenge the legality of her father's arrest and seeks to compel the government to return him to the Philippines.

Panelo argues that the arrest was unlawful, citing the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 and alleging that Duterte was deprived of legal representation at the time of his arrest. 

International and domestic reactions

The arrest has drawn mixed reactions both domestically and internationally. Human rights groups have welcomed the development, viewing it as a step toward justice for the thousands of victims of Duterte's controversial war on drugs. Conversely, supporters of Duterte view the arrest as unjust and politically motivated. 

As legal proceedings unfold, the nation remains divided over Duterte's legacy and the implications of his arrest on the country's political landscape.

Former President Duterte arrested on ICC warrant

International media outlets have reported extensively on the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, highlighting the gravity of the charges and the implications for the country's political landscape.

• Associated Press

Philippine ex-leader Duterte is being flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity - The Associated Press detailed Duterte's arrest in Manila and subsequent extradition to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaigns. The report noted that Duterte was apprehended upon his return from Hong Kong and that his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, criticized the arrest as politically motivated.

• The Guardian

Duterte flown to The Hague after arrest over Philippines drug war killings - The Guardian emphasized the scale of Duterte's controversial war on drugs, reporting that it resulted in an estimated 30,000 deaths. The article also discussed the shift in the current administration's stance, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a former ally of Duterte, now complying with the International Criminal Court's request for extradition amidst a family feud.

• Wall Street Journal

Arrest of Former Philippines President Duterte Tests Divisive Legacy of War on Drugs - The Wall Street Journal focused on the potential impact of Duterte's arrest on the Philippines' political future, particularly concerning the tensions between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. The piece highlighted that human rights groups welcomed the arrest, citing the brutal nature of the anti-drug campaign, which resulted in over 12,000 casualties.

• The Sun UK News

Ex-Philippines leader Duterte ARRESTED: Hardman who said he’d hurled man from chopper held for ‘crimes against humanity’ - The Sun reported that Duterte was apprehended by Interpol in Manila after returning from Hong Kong, following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign. The article highlighted Duterte's controversial tenure, noting his public admissions of extrajudicial actions and the significant death toll associated with his policies.

• El Pais

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrested in Manila on charges of crimes against humanity - El País detailed Duterte's arrest at Manila International Airport under the ICC's orders, accusing him of crimes against humanity stemming from his aggressive anti-drug operations during his presidency (2016-2022). The report emphasized the extrajudicial nature of many killings and included reactions from Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who condemned the arrest as persecution, and from his legal advisors questioning the ICC's jurisdiction following the Philippines' 2019 withdrawal from the court.

These developments mark a significant moment in the pursuit of accountability for actions taken during Duterte's administration, with international attention focused on the legal proceedings that will follow.