‘The Punisher’ Duterte Faces Trial For Crimes Against Humanity

An elected leader once known as “The Punisher” has been handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face trial for crimes against humanity over his brutal war on drugs — a dramatic reversal of fortune for a politician who once openly bragged about killing people and placing opponents on hit lists.

Rodrigo Duterte ruled the Philippines for six turbulent years, leading a violent crackdown on drugs while threatening critics and lashing out at global leaders, including the Pope and former US President Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, the ICC confirmed that the former Philippine president was now in its custody.

From Prosecutor to President to Prisoner

A former prosecutor, congressman, and mayor, Duterte built his tough-guy reputation in Davao City in the southern Philippines. He swept to the presidency in 2016 on a populist, hardline promise to replicate his brutal anti-drug tactics nationwide.

“All of you who are into drugs, you sons of b**ches, I will really kill you,” Duterte declared during a 2016 campaign rally. “I have no patience, I have no middle ground. Either you kill me or I will kill you idiots.”

Once in power, Duterte unleashed what human rights groups called “death squads” to eliminate drug pushers. Many victims were young men from impoverished areas, killed by police and rogue gunmen under the guise of targeting drug dealers.

Official police data reported 6,000 deaths, but human rights organizations estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000, with many innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Duterte’s presidency ended in 2022. Three years later, only eight police officers had been convicted for five of those killings, according to court records.

The ICC Steps In

The ICC launched an investigation into Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity during his time as both mayor of Davao and president. Duterte denied the accusations, insisting that drug-related issues were matters of domestic law enforcement.

He frequently mocked the ICC, daring prosecutors to “hurry up” and accusing them of overreach.

Two days before his arrest, Duterte dismissed the ICC’s authority in a fiery speech in Hong Kong.

“From my own news, I have a warrant… from the ICC or something… these motherf***ers have been chasing me for a long time. What did I do wrong?” Duterte said.

Sudden Arrest Shocks the Nation

Authorities were waiting for Duterte when he returned from Hong Kong, arresting him at Manila’s main airport in a chaotic scene.

News of the arrest shocked the nation. Some Filipinos flocked to churches to hold impromptu prayer services, seeing the move as a long-overdue step toward justice for drug war victims.

Just before midnight, Duterte was put on a plane bound for the Netherlands — a stunning end to his controversial political career.

In a defiant video message posted before landing in Rotterdam, Duterte remained unapologetic.

“I told the police and military to do their job, and I would take responsibility. So, it has come to this,” he said. “This will be a long legal process, but I will continue to serve my country. If this is my destiny, so be it.”

Political Fallout Behind the Arrest

Duterte’s arrest appears to be tied to political infighting rather than the ICC’s legal power. The court relies on national governments to carry out arrests, which often hinges on political will.

Duterte’s political alliance with the powerful Marcos dynasty collapsed in recent months, leading to a public feud. His daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who serves as vice president under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., accused Marcos of betrayal in a fiery two-hour livestream.

In November, Duterte-Carpio claimed she had hired an assassin to kill Marcos and his allies if she was ever harmed — a threat she later insisted wasn’t a joke.

Despite Marcos’s earlier refusal to cooperate with the ICC, he cited an Interpol request as the reason for Duterte’s arrest.

“Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to Interpol,” Marcos said in a late-night press conference. “If we ignore this, they won’t help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad.”

What Comes Next?

Human rights groups welcomed the arrest but warned of a long road ahead.

“The victims of Duterte’s drug war had lost faith in the domestic justice system,” said Carlos Conde, a researcher for Human Rights Watch. “They were pinning their hopes on the ICC.”

Nobel laureate Maria Ressa called Duterte’s arrest a landmark moment for the Philippines.

“It’s historic,” said Ressa, former CNN Manila bureau chief and CEO of Rappler. “It’s the first time a Philippine president has been arrested for crimes against humanity. This could mark the end of years of impunity.”

Human rights advocate Aurora Parong said the news brought relief but also uncertainty.

“There is this mixed feeling of joy and hope — but also anxiety,” Parong said. “Will there really be accountability?”

The Long Road to Justice

The ICC, based in The Hague, investigates and prosecutes war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression. Duterte’s arrest marks a major victory for the court, which lacks the power to execute arrests without cooperation from national governments.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but those warrants have yet to be enforced.

Duterte’s trial will likely be lengthy and complex, but for many Filipinos, his arrest represents a long-awaited reckoning for the bloodshed of his war on drugs.