Philippine authorities announced the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, aged 79, on Tuesday, after his flight landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

The arrest was carried out in accordance with an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accused Duterte of committing crimes against humanity during his controversial anti-drug campaign.

The Philippine presidential office released a statement confirming that Interpol had received the official copy of the arrest warrant from the ICC.

The statement indicates that Duterte is now in custody of the authorities.

Duterte, who served as the 16th President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, has faced significant international scrutiny for his administration's aggressive stance against illegal drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths.

The ICC's investigation into his actions centers on probable cause for believing that widespread killings occurred as a part of this anti-narcotics campaign.

During a recent address to Filipino workers abroad, Duterte criticized the ICC and its investigators, reaffirming his position against the allegations leveled against him.

This arrest marks a significant moment in Duterte's tumultuous political legacy and adds to the ongoing discussions surrounding accountability for human rights violations in the Philippines.

As global human rights organizations continue to advocate for justice regarding the events during Duterte's presidency, the development reflects a heightened focus on the rule of law and international standards in the Philippines.

The impact of this arrest on the country's political landscape remains to be seen.