President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines received an arrest warrant for his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Interpol, leading to Duterte’s arrest in Manila and subsequent extradition to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the war on drugs. This marked a significant moment in the country’s history after years of impunity under Duterte’s administration, where thousands of people died in the drug war. Marcos, the son of former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, had formed an alliance with Sara Duterte, Rodrigo’s daughter, to win the presidency and vice presidency in 2022, but their relationship quickly soured.
Sara Duterte, currently leading polls to succeed Marcos as president, has publicly criticized him, and her impeachment by Marcos’ allies further strained their political ties. Duterte’s arrest was met with accusations of political oppression by Sara Duterte and her supporters, but Marcos maintained that he was following international conventions by complying with the Interpol warrant. The arrest of Duterte has been seen as a step towards accountability and justice for the victims of the drug war, with advocates like journalist Maria Ressa emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators responsible for their actions.
The arrest of Duterte was met with mixed reactions among Filipinos, with some, like Florecita Perez, whose son was killed by masked men in 2019, expressing relief and a sense of justice finally being served. Duterte’s arrival in The Hague was accompanied by tensions and concerns over his impending trial, expected to begin after lengthy pretrial proceedings. Sara Duterte was also en route to The Hague to assist in organizing her father’s legal defense, highlighting the impact of his arrest on their family and political future.
Marcos’s decision to approve Duterte’s arrest has significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections, with the Marcos and Duterte families positioned as rivals in the political landscape. While Duterte had a high approval rating when leaving office, his arrest and the subsequent fallout could weaken Sara Duterte’s chances in the presidential race. The politicization of Duterte’s arrest is likely to be a central issue in the elections, with public sentiment towards the ICC investigation largely positive, according to recent surveys.
The arrest of Duterte has evoked comparisons to the ousting of Marcos’ father in 1986, with some Filipinos seeing it as a pivotal moment in the country’s history. The decision to cooperate with the ICC, despite previous pledges not to, reflects Marcos’ strategic approach to consolidating power and marginalizing the Dutertes as a political force. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of both families in Philippine politics and the broader implications of Duterte’s trial on accountability and justice in the country.
Overall, Duterte’s arrest and impending trial represent a significant turning point in the Philippines, marking a shift towards accountability and the rule of law after years of impunity under his administration. The fallout from his arrest is likely to shape the country’s political landscape in the coming months, with implications for the Duterte and Marcos families’ future in Philippine politics. The decision to cooperate with the ICC highlights the complexities of justice and politics in a country grappling with a history of human rights abuses and authoritarian rule.
