Ex-Philippine President Duterte Shrugs Off Possible ICC Arrest During Hong Kong Visit

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his controversial war on drugs, made an unannounced stop in Hong Kong on Sunday, sparking chatter over whether he’s dodging the looming shadow of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. The ICC has been investigating Duterte's alleged role in extrajudicial killings during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Accompanied by his daughter, current Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the 79-year-old ex-leader attended a political rally at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. The event was in support of senatorial candidates from his political faction, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, ahead of the Philippines’ May 12 midterm elections.

During his speech, Duterte faced the elephant in the room head-on, stating he was ready to face jail time if that’s what fate has in store for him. “If that’s my fate, that’s fine. I will accept it. We can’t do anything if I’m arrested or imprisoned,” he told the crowd of Filipino supporters. There’s something oddly theatrical about a leader casually musing about jail time in a packed stadium, isn’t there?

The ICC has been probing the thousands of deaths linked to Duterte’s ruthless anti-drug campaign, which disproportionately affected the country's poor. While Duterte has denied ordering extrajudicial killings, he’s never shied away from making chilling threats to suspected drug dealers during his tenure. He famously asked, “What was my sin?” in his Hong Kong speech, justifying his actions as efforts to bring “peace and tranquility” to Filipinos.

In a moment of dark humor, he joked about his supporters funding a monument in his honor, complete with him holding a gun. One can’t help but wonder if his PR team cringed at that one.

The ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte stems from the Philippines being a signatory to the Rome Statute — the court’s foundational treaty — until Duterte withdrew the country in 2019. Critics argue this withdrawal was a calculated move to duck accountability for alleged crimes committed during his presidency. However, the ICC maintains it can still investigate crimes committed while the Philippines was a member.

Current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated that law enforcement agencies will fully cooperate should the ICC pursue Duterte's arrest. Meanwhile, police in Duterte’s home region of Davao have ramped up security, suggesting the possibility of contingencies down the line.

Notably, while the ICC was designed to prosecute grave international crimes, it only steps in if countries fail to do so themselves. China, which holds sway over Hong Kong, hasn’t signed the Rome Statute, adding a layer of complexity to Duterte’s international movements.

For now, Duterte is reportedly scheduled to return to Manila on Tuesday, though conflicting reports suggest he might extend his Hong Kong stay. Whether he’s genuinely unfazed by the ICC or simply playing a strategic game remains a mystery, but one thing’s clear: the drama surrounding Duterte is far from over.