AFTER expressing readiness to face arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), former President Rodrigo Duterte changed tone when he was arrested by Philippine authorities on Tuesday, March 11.

“You will have just to kill me,” Duterte told arresting personnel per a report by Philippine Star.

Duterte’s tone was a stark contrast to the pronouncement he made on Sunday, March 9, in Hong Kong, where he told a crowd of Overseas Filipino Workers that he was ready should the ICC arrest him.

Duterte was arrested as soon as he landed in Manila on Tuesday following an ICC-issued arrest order over crimes against humanity accusations linked to his drug war.

He was placed under custody at Villamor Air Base in Manila following his return from Hong Kong.

The arrest follows increasing controversy over Duterte’s anti-drug policies between 2016 and 2022.

In a video shared on Instagram by his daughter, Veronica Duterte, Duterte questioned the grounds for his arrest.

"What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?" he said in the video.

The ICC launched an investigation into drug-related killings under Duterte from November 1, 2011, when he was serving as mayor of Davao City, until March 16, 2019.(Nikelyn Pahayahay, BiPSU Comm Intern)

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