Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte surprised many by making a sudden trip to Hong Kong. This visit raised speculation about whether he was trying to avoid a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. The warrant would be related to his controversial anti-drug campaign, which faced allegations of extrajudicial killings during his presidency.
During the visit, Duterte, who is now 79 years old, attended a campaign rally alongside his daughter, Sara Duterte, who currently serves as the Vice President of the Philippines. The rally, held at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, aimed to gather support for the senatorial candidates of Duterte’s political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in the Philippines on May 12.
Addressing the rumors surrounding a possible ICC arrest warrant, Duterte stated during his speech that he was willing to face imprisonment if such an order were issued against him. This bold statement reaffirmed his stance on the matter and showed his readiness to confront any legal repercussions that may arise.
“If that’s my fate, that’s fine. I will accept it. We can’t do anything if I’m arrested or imprisoned,” he said in front of a crowd of Filipino supporters.
Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks inside the Southorn Stadium during a gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino workers for the former populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
A senior Philippine official said the former president was scheduled to fly back on Tuesday to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, but another senior official said he could extend his stay in Hong Kong.
Current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is prepared to handle any situation stemming from an ICC arrest warrant, the president’s communications secretary, Jay Ruiz, said.
“We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity,” Ruiz said in a statement. “The government is prepared for any eventuality.”
In the southern city of Davao, Duterte’s home region, police bolstered security at the international airport and will monitor new checkpoints. Philippine police told reporters the move was part of an effort to ensure law enforcement would be able to handle any contingencies.
Duterte had held office in Davao, previously serving as mayor, vice mayor and member of the House of Representatives. He was also chair of the Davao City Liberal Party from 2009-2015.
Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks inside the Southorn Stadium during a gathering organized by Hong Kong-based Filipino workers for the former populist president in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
Marcos Jr. has said that Philippine law enforcement agencies would be required to fully cooperate if the ICC seeks Duterte’s arrest.
The ICC was created in 2002 to serve as a court of last resort for the most serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. The ICC becomes involved when countries are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes within their borders.
About 125 countries have signed the court’s foundational treaty, the Rome Statute. But China, which controls Hong Kong, has not signed on.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, which activists argued was an attempt to evade accountability and prevent an international investigation into the government-authorized killings. However, the ICC still maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed when the country was a member, so Duterte could still be held accountable for possible crimes committed in the first half of his presidency.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
