Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at Rotterdam The Hague Airport on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into his controversial anti-narcotics campaign. The 79-year-old leader, accompanied by his daughter Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, traveled to the Netherlands after being detained in Manila earlier this week under an ICC arrest warrant.
The ICC confirmed Duterte’s surrender in a Wednesday statement, setting the stage for legal proceedings tied to his “war on drugs” initiative, which has drawn global scrutiny for its human rights implications. Duterte has persistently questioned the court’s jurisdiction, claiming the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 invalidates the case.
The case holds significance for investors monitoring Southeast Asia’s political stability, as well as academics studying international law enforcement. For the Philippines’ diaspora, the developments underscore ongoing tensions between national sovereignty and global accountability mechanisms.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport, located 20 kilometers from the ICC’s headquarters, has become a focal point for observers tracking this high-profile intersection of politics and justice.
