MK sports Korea metro Manila on March 11, 2025. Photo: AFP" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-03-11/cae274dd-75d8-48f7-8da2-a69c0edb0079.jpeg" />

Policemen gather as they wait for the arrival of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, metro Manila on March 11, 2025. Photo: AFP

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has boarded a chartered flight to The Hague, while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes committed during his administration's drug war, the Philippine media Inquirer reported on Tuesday evening.

Dai Fan, director of the Center for Philippine Studies at Jinan University in South China's Guangdong Province, told the Global Times that the Philippines is not a member state of the ICC and, as such, is not obligated to comply with ICC arrest warrants. However, the Marcos administration seems to have taken the unusual step of proactively surrendering Duterte to the Hague court. 

According to multiple Philippine media reports on Tuesday, Duterte has been placed under local police custody earlier on the day, following the issuance of a red notice by Interpol against him, Philippine Presidential Communications Office confirmed on Tuesday morning. Analysts reached by the Global Times believe that Duterte's arrest appears to be a preemptive measure pending further developments, with the key factor being the decision of current President Marcos. 

Police authorities arrested Duterte upon arrival in Manila from his visit to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 

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In a latest video posted on Instagram on Tuesday by daughter Veronica Duterte from his custody at Manila's Villamor Air Base, Duterte questioned the reason for his arrest, according to Reuters.

"What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?" he said in the video. It was unclear who he was speaking to.

"I was brought here not of my own volition, it is somebody else's. You have to answer now for the deprivation of liberty."

When asked by the media about the arrest of Duterte in Manila on Tuesday, Chinese FM spokesperson Mao Ning stated this is an important sudden incident. China has noted the news and is closely following how this might develop. "I would like to reiterate China's consistent view that the International Criminal Court should strictly follow the principle of complementarity, exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law and prevent politicization or double standards," Mao said.

Duterte had been in Hong Kong, where he said on Monday that he was ready to be arrested if the ICC issued a warrant. 

"If this is really my fate in life, that's okay, I will accept it. There's nothing we can do." So said former Duterte on Sunday when he addressed a crowd of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Hong Kong.

"What have I done wrong? I did everything during my time so that Filipinos can have some peace and security," he said.

"Assuming what you [heard] is true, why did I do it? For myself? For my family? No, for you and your children, for our country," he added, drawing applause and cheers from his audience, who were gathered in this rally called "Thanksgiving to PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) with OFWs," Inquirer reported.

Supporters rally outside Villamor Air Base in Manila, Philippines, after former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025. Duterte has boarded a chartered flight to The Hague, the Philippine media Inquirer reported Tuesday evening. Photo: VCG

Dai told the Global Times, that generally, the enforcement of an ICC arrest warrant often hinges on the cooperation of the government in question. Thus, the decision of current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is crucial.

Dai explained that since the Philippines is no longer a member state of the ICC, the Philippine government is theoretically not obligated to comply with ICC requests. However, as a member of INTERPOL, the Philippines is theoretically bound to cooperate if INTERPOL issues a "Red Notice."

If Marcos chooses to cooperate with ICC, the Duterte family might garner more sympathy votes in the upcoming midterm elections, which could ironically enhance their electoral prospects. Consequently, the unfolding situation requires further observation, Dai noted.

Dai added that this morning's arrest of Duterte is, strictly speaking, more akin to preemptive custody, pending further notifications or changes in circumstances. 

According to a report by the Manila Times citing so-called "an unimpeachable source," INTERPOL has issued a "red notice" for Duterte. But the Global Times has not found Duterte's name on the publicly available "Red Notice" list on INTERPOL's website as of Tuesday afternoon. There is also no official red notice from the INTERPOL that has reached the Palace, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Tuesday.

Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Issues at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that ICC arrest warrants no longer hold mandatory force over the Philippine government. If the Philippine government is willing to cooperate voluntarily, ICC directives would be more easily enforced; otherwise, they would only serve as supplementary legal effects. Ding believes that, considering these factors, the high-profile arrest of Duterte by the Marcos administration and Philippine judicial authorities may involve certain political calculations. 

Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Tuesday to protest his arrest. Local government officials and employees led a candle-lighting ceremony and offered prayers at the park near city hall in solidarity with their former mayor, reported Rappler, a Philippine media. 

A source based in Manila close to the matter told the Global Times that Duterte's decision to return to the country directly aligns with his established tough image against his political opponent Marcos Jr. and sends a clear signal to the public that he is not backing down. 

The Philippines will hold midterm elections in May, with seats in the House of Representatives and half of the Senate up for reelection. Reports indicate that several Duterte family members plan to run, including Duterte himself, who aims to be mayor of Davao City.