NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Marcos Jr. On Duterte's Arrest: 'We Had To Fulfill Our Commitments'
Screengrab from PCO
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now on his way to The Hague, Netherlands, after his arrest at Villamor Air Base on Tuesday morning. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made it clear: the move was in line with the Philippines’ obligations to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the international community.
The Arrest at Villamor Air Base
Duterte, along with his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña and his entourage, landed in Manila at 9:20 AM from Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific flight CX 907. However, his return to the country was short-lived. Upon landing, the former president was immediately served a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accuses him of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs.
By 11:03 PM, Duterte was already on a flight out of the Philippines, heading straight to The Hague to face the charges against him.
Why the Philippines Complied
President Marcos Jr., addressing the media, emphasized that the government had no choice but to act. "Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to fulfill," he stated. He warned that failure to cooperate could jeopardize the country's ability to seek assistance from Interpol in cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad.
"This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations," Marcos Jr. added.
What Happens Next?
Duterte’s legal team is expected to fight the charges in the ICC, but with his extradition already underway, the former president is now set to face international justice. The situation is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic political developments in recent Philippine history, and all eyes are now on what happens next in The Hague.
For now, President Marcos has made the government’s stance clear: this was a legal obligation, not a political move. However, with Duterte’s allies likely to push back, this may just be the beginning of a much bigger battle.
The Arrest at Villamor Air Base
Duterte, along with his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña and his entourage, landed in Manila at 9:20 AM from Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific flight CX 907. However, his return to the country was short-lived. Upon landing, the former president was immediately served a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accuses him of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs.
By 11:03 PM, Duterte was already on a flight out of the Philippines, heading straight to The Hague to face the charges against him.
Why the Philippines Complied
President Marcos Jr., addressing the media, emphasized that the government had no choice but to act. "Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to fulfill," he stated. He warned that failure to cooperate could jeopardize the country's ability to seek assistance from Interpol in cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad.
"This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations," Marcos Jr. added.
What Happens Next?
Duterte’s legal team is expected to fight the charges in the ICC, but with his extradition already underway, the former president is now set to face international justice. The situation is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic political developments in recent Philippine history, and all eyes are now on what happens next in The Hague.
For now, President Marcos has made the government’s stance clear: this was a legal obligation, not a political move. However, with Duterte’s allies likely to push back, this may just be the beginning of a much bigger battle.
Mar 12, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
