Mon Mar 17 07:48:46 UTC 2025: ## Philippine Senate to Investigate Duterte’s ICC Arrest
**Manila, Philippines –** The Philippine Senate announced on Monday, March 17, 2025, that it will launch a formal investigation into the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Senator Imee Marcos, sister of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., initiated the probe, citing concerns about due process and the potential infringement on Philippine sovereignty.
Duterte, 79, is the first former Asian head of state to be charged by the ICC, facing accusations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign. Rights groups allege the campaign resulted in thousands of deaths.
The former president was arrested at Manila airport on March 11th following a trip to Hong Kong and subsequently transferred to the ICC in the Netherlands. The Senate’s public hearing, scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, will include testimony from top police and government officials.
Senator Marcos, despite her family’s strained relationship with Duterte following their 2022 election alliance, has expressed strong disapproval of the arrest, raising concerns about the potential for unrest. She is currently running for re-election. The investigation aims to determine whether proper legal procedures were followed during Duterte’s apprehension and extradition.
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