Palace confirms arrest warrant from ICC for Rodrigo Duterte

Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Palace on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged crimes against humanity.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) – Manila received the official copy of the arrest warrant.

“Early this morning, Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in Filipino in a statement.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Duterte arrested by PNP after ICC issues warrant

Duterte landed back in Manila from Hong Kong around 10:30 a.m.

READ: Diokno: Duterte’s OP listed 20,322 drug-war deaths as accomplishments

Upon his arrival, the Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant against the former president for his alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war.

“The former president and his group are in good health and were examined by government doctors to ensure his well-being,” the PCO said.

“PNP officials who served the warrant ensured they were wearing body cameras,” it added.

Duterte is currently in the custody of authorities.

Duterte has been making headlines once again after reports saying that an Interpol red notice has already been issued against him.

He is facing a case at the ICC for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the bloody war on drugs of his administration.

Based on reports, Duterte’s war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead; however, human rights groups reported that the number may have reached 20,000.