Since the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in July 2002, no other detainee has sparked such a controversial and massive widespread global movement—with protests, prayer rallies, and public outcry—not just in their home country of the Philippines, but all around the globe, even outside the court in The Hague, Netherlands—than that of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

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Thousands flood the streets of Davao City, Philippines, waving flags and placards as they rally behind former President Rodrigo Duterte, denouncing what they call an illegal and politically motivated arrest

A history of politically charged ICC cases

Throughout the years, the ICC has indicted several world leaders, often sparking protests from their supporters who claimed the charges were politically motivated.

  • Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya, 2013): the former Kenyan president was charged with crimes against humanity for post-election violence in 2007–2008. Protesters in Nairobi and outside the ICC denounced the prosecution as an attack on their sovereignty. The case was dropped in 2014 due to lack of evidence.

  • Laurent Gbagbo (Ivory Coast, 2016): accused of crimes against humanity during the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis, his trial ignited massive protests at The Hague. Supporters insisted the charges were politically driven. He was acquitted a year later due to insufficient evidence, leading to nationwide celebrations.

  • Jean-Pierre Bemba (Democratic Republic of Congo, 2018): charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic (2002–2003), Bemba’s trial saw large-scale demonstrations outside the ICC. Protesters claimed he was a victim of political persecution. He was later acquitted, prompting celebrations in Congo.

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Supporters rally outside the Philippine Embassy in New York City, United States, denouncing Duterte's extradition and calling for his immediate release from ICC detention

A politicised arrest

Now, history is repeating itself—but on a far more controversial scale. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been forcibly detained and illegally extradited to The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity from 2011 to 2019. The sudden and questionable detention of former Philippine President has raised serious legal and political concerns.

Duterte's legal team has condemned his arrest as a kidnapping, citing that he was forcefully detained and turned over to the ICC despite the absence of any formal arrest warrant or due legal process. Excessive use of the show of force was done upon the forced arrest, mobilising thousands of Philippine National Police to forcefully arrest, and detain just an 80-year-old man, without even a proper warrant presented. This sets a dangerous precedent—where political opponents can be abducted and extradited without judicial approval.

The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC (Rome Statute) in 2019, meaning the court no longer holds any legal authority over its citizens. Any action taken by the ICC against Duterte is therefore a direct violation of the country’s sovereignty. The Marcos administration has long sought to discredit Duterte, a political rival whose popularity remains strong across the nation. By allowing Duterte’s illegal extradition, the current Administration President aligns itself with foreign entities seeking to undermine Duterte, rather than defending the sovereignty of the Philippines.

The Marcos administration’s actions bypass the rule of law, raising alarms about political interference and the erosion of legal safeguards. This move exposes the selective nature of justice, where a former president from a third-world country is swiftly taken into custody, while powerful leaders from larger nations remain untouched by the ICC.

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Hundreds of Duterte supporters gather outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, defiantly waving Philippine flags and calling for his immediate release

Double standards

Why Is Duterte in prison while others walk free? Duterte's ICC case of allegedly ordering the killing of 40 people in the war against drugs in the Philippines, becomes even more controversial when compared to other world leaders accused of far graver crimes, who remain free simply because they lead larger and more powerful nations.

  • Vladimir Putin (Russia): the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023 over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, yet he continues to lead one of the most powerful countries in the world, traveling freely to allied nations with no real fear of extradition.

  • Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel): accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for military operations in Gaza, Netanyahu remains in power, with international allies blocking any serious attempts to bring him to justice.

  • Other world leaders, military generals, and political figures with far more severe accusations—including orchestrating wars, genocide, and ethnic cleansing—continue to enjoy full diplomatic immunity simply because they control first-world nations with stronger political influence.

Yet, Duterte, a former president of a third-world country, who is massively loved by the people of his country, was forcefully taken, denied due process by the current Administration of his country, and handed over to the ICC without a warrant and legal basis. His case exposes the harsh reality: justice under the ICC is selective, favouring those with global power while punishing leaders from smaller nations.

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Filipino-Australians in Brisbane rally with placards and Philippine flags, voicing outrage over Duterte’s arrest and calling it a violation of national sovereignty

The most famous detainee in ICC history?

Since Duterte's arrival at the ICC detention facility, mid of March 2025, a global movement has emerged. Massive prayer rallies, motorcades, protest marches, and peaceful demonstrations have erupted across the Philippines and all around the world—even outside the ICC itself—while calling for his immediate release.

With the Marcos administration complicit in this political persecution, Rodrigo Duterte may go down not only as the ICC’s most famous detainee—but also as the most controversial case of selective justice in modern history. And if history is any indication, the same fate that befell past political detainees could soon be his—an acquittal and a triumphant return home.

What we are witnessing is a modern-day people’s uprising, but this time—unlike the EDSA Revolution of 1986 which was only confined to the streets of Manila—it is happening on a global scale. Filipinos worldwide, alongside international allies, are standing against injustice, demanding Duterte’s freedom, and fighting against foreign intervention in Philippine affairs.

This movement is no longer just about one man—it has become a battle for sovereignty, justice, and the future of a nation. With history as our witness, the voice of the people has toppled a dictator before—will it now be enough to free a man they call their leader?

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Supporters in Tokyo, Japan, wave Philippine flags and display signs demanding Duterte’s release, joining the global movement against what they call political persecution by the ICC