A Gulfstream G550 plane believed to carry former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen after landing at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, following his arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant tied to his deadly crackdown on drugs, on March 12, 2025. (Photo by John Thys / AFP)
Rotterdam, Netherlands: A spokesman for the International Criminal Court confirmed that former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte had arrived on Wednesday in the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity over his war on drugs.
"I confirm the plane landed," Fadi El Abdallah told reporters, later confirming that Duterte was on board.
The ICC, based in The Hague, has said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Duterte committed the crime against humanity of murder as an "indirect co-perpetrator" during the anti-drug campaign that rights groups estimate killed tens of thousands.
The 79-year-old is the first Asian former head of state to face charges at the ICC, which rules on the world's worst crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Once in ICC custody, Duterte will be taken to a detention centre before an initial appearance likely to be scheduled in the coming days.
The centre, located close to the North Sea coast, offers each prisoner an individual cell equipped with a computer to work on their case, along with an outdoor exercise area.
Speaking to AFP outside the ICC, Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims of the drug war, said: "My clients are very thankful to God because their prayers have been answered."
"The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is a great signal for international criminal justice. It means that no one is above the law... There will be a day of justice for everyone... even powerful men such as Rodrigo Duterte," Andres added.
But dozens of pro-Duterte protesters gathered in front of the detention centre, unfurling a banner reading: "We are with Duterte" and waving flags.
"There has been no due process," said caregiver Duds Quibin, 50. "This is kidnapping. They just put him on a plane and brought him here."
Plane transporting Duterte to ICC arrives in Netherlands
A plane believed to be carrying Rodrigo Duterte landed in The Netherlands on Wednesday, as the former Philippines president prepared to face International Criminal Court charges over his deadly war on drugs.
The ICC, based in The Hague, said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Duterte committed the crime against humanity of murder as an "indirect co-perpetrator" during the anti-drug campaign that rights groups estimate killed tens of thousands.
The 79-year-old is the first Asian former head of state to face charges at the ICC, which rules on the world's worst crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Once in ICC custody, Duterte will be taken to a detention centre before an initial appearance likely to be scheduled in the coming days.
The centre, located close to the North Sea coast, offers each prisoner an individual cell equipped with a computer to work on their case, along with an outdoor exercise area.
Speaking to AFP outside the ICC, Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims of the drug war, said: "My clients are very thankful to God because their prayers have been answered."
"The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is a great signal for international criminal justice. It means that no one is above the law... There will be a day of justice for everyone... even powerful men such as Rodrigo Duterte," Andres added.
But others came out to support the former leader.
Dozens of pro-Duterte protesters gathered in front of the detention centre, unfurling a banner reading: "We are with Duterte" and waving flags.
"There has been no due process," said caregiver Duds Quibin, 50. "This is kidnapping. They just put him on a plane and brought him here."
'Oppression and persecution'
Earlier Wednesday, lawyers filed a petition to the Supreme Court in the Philippines accusing the government of "kidnapping" Duterte and demanding it "bring him back".
"The ICC can only exercise its jurisdiction if a country's national legal system is not functioning," lawyer Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. told reporters outside the court, insisting the Philippines' judicial system was "working properly".
Before her father's departure, Vice President Sara Duterte said he was being "forcibly taken to The Hague", labelling the transfer "oppression and persecution".
A one-time alliance between President Ferdinand Marcos and the Duterte family has exploded spectacularly since the 2022 presidential election, when Sara Duterte ran as vice president on his ticket.
She is currently facing a Senate trial on a number of charges, including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against Marcos.
Duterte himself had earlier taken to social media, claiming the Supreme Court would step in and prevent his transfer.
"What is the crime that I committed? Show to me now the legal basis of my being here," he said on Instagram live.
