China’s Foreign Ministry stated that it was closely monitoring the situation following the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The arrest, which was carried out under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), represents a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity.
During a regular press briefing, Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning addressed questions regarding Duterte’s arrest. Duterte, who served as mayor and prosecutor before being president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was taken into custody early on Tuesday.
This marks the most significant development in the ICC`s inquiry into Duterte`s controversial anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths and sparked widespread international criticism. Following his arrest, Duterte was sent to The Hague, where he is expected to arrive on March 12. At 79 years old, Duterte could become the first former Asian head of state to face trial at the International Criminal Court.
