Now former president is arrested for crimes against humanity

Strong ties to Donald Trump

During his time as president, Duterte was often compared to Donald Trump for his controversial and direct style.

The two developed a close relationship and Trump repeatedly praised him for his hard line against drugs.

At a meeting during the ASEAN Summit in 2017, Trump stated that he had a « fantastic relationship » to Duterte and he stayed according to BBC later quoted to say:

« I just want to congratulate you because I hear about the incredible work you are doing against drugs. »

Trump, who has otherwise been in conflict with several world leaders, failed to criticize Duterte's brutal methods.

Their close relationship created international debate, especially when Trump failed to raise the issue of human rights in their official meetings.

Duterte's future is now uncertain. The current government of the Philippines, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has suggested that they may be willing to hand him over to ICC.

Human rights organizations have long called for a prosecution of Duterte, and Human Rights Watch calls the arrest a « critical step toward justice » for the victims and their families.

While his lawyers maintain that the arrest is illegal and that the ICC has no right to investigate him, it now appears that the former president is facing a fateful trial that can have historical consequences.