MANILA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Presidential Communications Office (PCO) issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming that former President Rodrigo Duterte was detained by police upon his return to Manila, capital of the Philippines, from abroad.

According to the statement, Duterte's flight arrived in Manila around 9:20 a.m. local time, where authorities presented him with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

WHY WAS HE DETAINED?

Duterte "is currently in the custody of the authorities," the PCO said on Tuesday.

During his time as mayor of Davao City and as president of the Philippines, Duterte had carried out a "war on drugs," which garnered wide attention both domestically and internationally.

In February 2018, the ICC notified the Philippine government that it would open a preliminary investigation into whether Duterte's anti-drug operations violated human rights. In September 2021, the ICC officially commenced its investigation.

The official copy of the ICC's warrant of arrest, received by Interpol in Manila on Tuesday, stated that the purpose of the move was to "ensure his appearance before the court."

REACTIONS FROM VARIOUS SIDES

The PCO said in November 2024 that "if the ICC refers the process to the Interpol, which may then transmit a red notice to the Philippine authorities, the government will feel obliged to consider the red notice as a request to be honored, in which case the domestic law enforcement agencies shall be bound to accord full cooperation to the Interpol pursuant to established protocols."

Duterte, who will turn 80 this month, recently said at a rally that he was ready for a possible arrest if the ICC issued a warrant. However, he asked: "What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people."

In a video released by his family on Tuesday, Duterte questioned his detention, asking: "What is the crime I committed?"

Duterte's detention has sparked widespread attention across Philippine political circles.

Former chief presidential legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo questioned the legal basis for Duterte's arrest in a statement.

"It is an illegal arrest because the ICC arrest warrant comes from a spurious source, the ICC, which has no jurisdiction over the Philippines," Panelo said.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT?

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has a strained relationship with Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte's detention will likely bring more uncertainty to the Philippine political landscape.

The country is set to hold midterm elections in May, and Duterte has registered to run for mayor of Davao City. Local media reported that Duterte enjoys considerable support among the people.

Senator Imee Marcos, who is also the current president's sister, on Tuesday warned the arrest could spark further chaos.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told local media that his department has yet to issue any instruction to its foreign mission in The Hague, as it defers actions related to the arrest of Duterte to law enforcement agencies.

Sara Duterte on Tuesday evening said in a statement that her detained father "is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight."

"This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation's independence," the vice president said in a statement. Enditem

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