Duterte dismisses arrest warrant reports, rallies supporters in Hong Kong
Metro Manila, Philippines - Former President Rodrigo Duterte laughed off rumors of an arrest warrant against him, taking a defiant stance before overseas Filipino supporters at the "Pasasalamat kay PRRD" event in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9.
"Ang balita ko may warrant daw ako... 'yung sa ICC. Matagal na ako hinahabol ng mga p*******…ano man ang kasalanan ko? Ginawa ko naman ang lahat sa panahon ko para may konting katahimikan at mapayapa ang buhay ng Pilipino,” Duterte said in a YouTube video aired over SMNI.
[TRANSLATION: I heard there’s a warrant for me. That’s not true. The ICC or whatever—they’ve been after me for a long time. What crime did I commit? I did my best to bring peace and order to the country.]
Known for his tough rhetoric and controversial drug war, Duterte downplayed the allegations, insisting his actions were for the greater good.
“Ang problema nito ewan ko kung ang tingin ng ako ay yung...(makes sign ng pagpatay) Eto ganito lang assuming na totoo, totoo talaga yung naririnig niyo. bakit ko ginawa yan? Para sa sarili ko? Para sa pamilya ko? Para sa inyo at inyong mga anak. Ang hiling ko sa inyo kung ganito ang swerte ko sa buhay okay lang tatanggapin ko iyan. Wala tayo magawa e, hulihin tayo ikulong tayo kaya lang mag-contribute kayo per dollars para paglabas ko sa presuhan pagawa niyo ako monumento katabi ni Rizal.”
[TRANSLATION: Let’s say what you heard is true. Why did I do it? For myself? For my family? No—for you and your children. If this is my fate, then so be it. But if I get jailed, chip in a few dollars so that when I get out, you can build me a monument next to Rizal.]
Malacañang stance and ICC and DOJ developments
Meanwhile, the Palace on Sunday reiterated that the government will cooperate with Interpol if the ICC issues an arrest warrant against Duterte. “The government is prepared for any eventuality,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Ad Interim Secretary Jay Ruiz said in a statement.
The International Criminal Court has been investigating Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his bloody anti-drug campaign, which government data estimates led to around 6,000 deaths. Human rights groups claim the toll could be as high as 30,000, mostly small-time drug users and pushers.
While Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, arguing the court had no jurisdiction, the investigation continued. In January, the Department of Justice signaled its willingness to engage with the ICC, while in October 2024, Duterte told a congressional hearing that he takes “full legal responsibility” for the war on drugs but will never apologize for it.
An analyst’s perspective
Atty. Justin Sucgang, Associate Professor De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno School of Law believes that “the Dutertes are already in survival mode.”
“They need all the votes they could get. Courting overseas voters is always a good strategy. Aside from the direct votes (there are around 90k eligible OAV in HK), what's really at stake are the indirect votes,” Sucgang said.
“OFWs can influence or sway their families to support a particular candidate. Also, OFWs, since they are not in the Philippines, can be easier targets of misinformation or disinformation. Perhaps it is easier to sell the myth that all's well during the Duterte era compared to the current one,” he added.
Sucgang also emphasized that if it's true that a warrant of arrest has already been issued, the “Hong Kong campaign sortie may be a good front/cover.”
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque addressed on a Facebook live video swirling rumors, clarifying that while reports of an arrest warrant emerged, it was not from the ICC. Instead, he said the alleged warrant was for incitement to sedition, a case filed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre at the DOJ last month. The case stemmed from Duterte’s incendiary remarks urging violence against senators.
Roque also refuted claims that Duterte fled to Hong Kong to evade arrest, asserting that both Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte were there for a PDP-Laban event, not to escape legal troubles.
