Philippines’ Duterte says he is ‘responsible’ for drug war as ICC takes him into custody

The ex-president, who was transferred to a detention unit on the Dutch coast, told his supporters ‘I am OK, do not worry’

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Supporters of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte wave a flag and banner during a demonstration outside the International Criminal Court detention centre near The Hague in Scheveningen, Netherlands, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Published: 2:41am, 13 Mar 2025Updated: 11:08am, 13 Mar 2025

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration’s “war on drugs”, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, as he braces for a legal battle at the International Criminal Court.

“Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything,” Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague.

Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on Wednesday following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his war on drugs in which thousands of purported dealers and users were killed.

The video, which has been viewed 10 million times, showed only Duterte speaking, while wearing a plain white shirt. It appeared to have been recorded inside the plane, with the faint hum of the engine audible in the background.

In a statement, the ICC said Duterte was “surrendered to the custody of the International Criminal Court. He was arrested by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines … for charges of murder as a crime against humanity”.

He will be brought before an ICC judge in The Hague in coming days for an initial appearance, the statement said. He was transferred to a detention unit on the Dutch coast.