Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, made a surprise visit to Hong Kong amidst an ICC probe, raising the eyebrows of many. He was arrested on March 11th, immediately upon returning to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
Key Takeaways
- Rodrigo Duterte’s was arrested after returning from his Hong Kong trip.
- The visit included political activities showcasing support for senatorial candidates.
- Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, accompanied him and participated in a campaign rally.
- The ICC investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign continues.
Duterte’s Hong Kong Move Stirs Speculation
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s unannounced Hong Kong visit attracted significant attention due to the ongoing ICC investigation into alleged human rights abuses during his anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022. His presence in Hong Kong led to questions about whether he aimed to evade a potential ICC arrest warrant. During his expletive-filled campaign speech, Duterte objected to such speculations, stating, “If this is my fate in life, it’s OK, I’ll accept it. I can’t do anything if I get arrested and jailed.”
The former president did just that, as he was arrested in Manila on March 11th.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, investigates grave international crimes when countries fail to do so themselves. Duterte has been under investigation as a result of his crackdown on drugs, as well as a significant number of killings by policemen under his leadership from 2016 to 2022. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes alleged during its membership tenure.
Campaign Trail in Hong Kong
During his visit, Duterte, accompanied by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, engaged in a political rally where they could be seen at a rally supporting their party’s senatorial candidates, fueling further speculation about the motives behind the trip. Authorities initially permitted Associated Press journalists to cover the event but later escorted them out under unclear circumstances.
Concerns about security rose back in the Philippines, particularly in Duterte’s home region of Davao, prompting authorities to deploy additional police forces to bolster security measures. Despite these international legal challenges, Duterte outwardly remained unbothered by potential imprisonment, once again expressing readiness to accept his sentence if it were to come about, and also entertaining the rally with bits of humor and self-aggrandizing behavior. With the former president now in custody of the police, speculation regarding the intentions of his trip, as well as his looming legal battle, will only continue to grow.
Sources
1. Philippine ex-President Duterte brushes off possible arrest by ICC on a trip to Hong Kong
