Philippines ex-leader Duterte arrested after ICC warrant

Philippine constabulary person arrested erstwhile president Rodrigo Duterte aft the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity implicit his deadly "war connected drugs".

Duterte was arrested by constabulary successful Manila airdrome soon aft his accomplishment from Hong Kong.

Duterte's brutal anti-drugs crackdown, which occured erstwhile helium was president of the South East Asian federation from 2016 to 2022, saw thousands of radical killed.

The 79-year-old had earlier said helium was acceptable to spell to prison, erstwhile responding to reports of his imaginable arrest.

The International Coalition for Human Rights successful the Philippines called the apprehension a "historic moment".

"The arc of the motivation beingness is long, but today, it has bent towards justice. Duterte's apprehension is the opening of accountability for the wide killings that defined his brutal rule," said ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy.

But Duterte's erstwhile statesmanlike spokesperson Salvador Panelo has slammed the arrest, saying it was "unlawful" arsenic the Philippines had withdrawn from the ICC.

The ICC earlier said that it has jurisdiction successful the Philippines implicit alleged crimes committed earlier the state withdrew arsenic a member.

Duterte was successful Hong Kong to run for his senatorial slate successful the upcoming May 12 mid-term elections.

Footage aired connected section tv showed him walking retired of the airdrome utilizing a cane. Authorities accidental helium is successful "good health" and is being cared for by authorities doctors.

Duterte, a erstwhile politician of 1 of the country's largest cities, swept to powerfulness connected the committedness of a wide crackdown against crime.

But critics said his "war connected drugs" led to constabulary maltreatment and that galore of the cause suspects summarily executed. He has denied the allegations.

He cultivated an representation of a tough-talking and anti-establishment antheral of the masses, endearing him to Filipinos who elected him arsenic the country's archetypal President from the confederate land of Mindanao.

His daughter, Sara Duterte, is the Philippines existent vice-president and is tipped arsenic a imaginable statesmanlike campaigner successful 2028.

In caller months, the Duterte family's confederation with incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos unraveled spectacularly earlier the nationalist view, soon aft Marcos and Sara Duterte won the 2022 elections by a landslide.