Duterte Arrest in Philippines: Marcos’ Power Move

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippine police upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong. Authorities acted on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, accusing him of crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign. Duterte, known for his tough stance on crime, oversaw a war on drugs that allegedly led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

Despite the Philippines withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, the court insists it has jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member. Duterte himself dismissed the ICC’s authority multiple times, calling it a tool of foreign interference. However, his arrest by local law enforcement raises questions about why the Philippine government suddenly decided to cooperate.

Many political analysts view Duterte’s arrest as part of a broader power struggle. Tensions between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, have been growing. Their alliance, which helped secure victory in the 2022 elections, has fractured over time. In October 2024, Sara Duterte publicly criticized Marcos, claiming he “does not know how to be president.” This sparked speculation about her political ambitions and the Marcos camp’s moves to weaken her influence.

Some believe Duterte’s arrest is Marcos Jr.’s way of neutralizing the Duterte family’s political power. Marcos is said to be consolidating control ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. If true, this could explain why Philippine authorities acted on an ICC warrant when the country had previously rejected its jurisdiction.

Is Duterte arrest by President Marcos political history repeating itself in Philippines?

Many Filipinos are now asking if history is repeating itself. During his rule, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. also used state power to eliminate political rivals. In the 1970s, Marcos Sr. arrested and jailed opposition figures, including Benigno Aquino Jr., using national security as justification. Martial law allowed him to maintain control, silence critics, and suppress potential threats to his reign.

Now, many wonder if Marcos Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps. While the younger Marcos has avoided direct comparisons to his father’s authoritarian rule, some see Duterte’s arrest as a sign of creeping political repression. The irony is that the Marcos-Duterte alliance was built on shared opposition to foreign influence. Yet, Marcos Jr. is now indirectly legitimizing the ICC’s authority by allowing Duterte’s arrest.

The Marcos-Duterte feud has intensified in recent months. Sara Duterte has faced legal challenges, including impeachment complaints and criminal investigations. In November 2024, she allegedly threatened President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. This led to a subpoena from the National Bureau of Investigation, further complicating the political landscape.

With Rodrigo Duterte now in custody, the Philippine political scene is more volatile than ever. His arrest could reshape alliances, strengthen Marcos’ grip on power, and significantly impact the country’s future. If history is indeed repeating itself, the Philippines may be entering another era of power consolidation under a Marcos presidency.