By Karen Lema
MANILA (Reuters) -Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte landed at Manila’s airport on Tuesday, local media reported, amid reports the International Criminal Court will issue an arrest warrant for him over the “war on drugs” that killed thousands during his term.
Duterte said on Monday in Hong Kong that he was ready to be arrested if the ICC issued a warrant.
GMA NEWS reported the Philippine national police chief and an Interpol representative were at the airport waiting for Duterte to arrive from Hong Kong. Reuters could not immediately confirm that report.
ABS-CBN reported Duterte arrived at Manila’s international airport on Tuesday morning in a social media post that featured a video of the former president. The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified.
Reuters reporters at the airport had yet to see Duterte emerge.
As of Monday, the Philippines had not received an official communication from Interpol on an arrest warrant from the ICC, according to the government of Duterte’s successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte’s “war on drugs” was a signature policy after he swept to power in 2016 after vitriolic, crime-busting campaign vows to kill narcotics dealers.
Human rights groups claim that Philippine police and vigilantes under their direction murdered unarmed drug suspects on a massive scale on Duterte’s watch, allegations that authorities have denied.
The ICC has said it would pursue an investigation of suspected crimes against humanity.
While Duterte subsequently withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, the government under new leader Marcos has indicated Duterte could be handed over.
“Our law enforcers are ready to follow what law dictates, if the warrant of arrest needs to be served because of a request from Interpol,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters on Monday.
(Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by John Mair)
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