Duterte’s Plane Stops in Dubai En Route to ICC Detention

The plane carrying former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte landed in Dubai for a brief stopover after he was served a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte is en route to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges linked to his administration’s deadly war on drugs.

Flight Details and Dubai Layover
According to flight tracking data from flightradar.com, the Gulfstream G550 aircraft (RP-C5219) arrived at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai at 4:03 AM UAE time (8:03 AM Manila time). The plane had departed from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Philippines, on Tuesday at 11:03 PM.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. confirmed late Tuesday that Duterte was being taken to The Hague to answer charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. The flight then continued to Rotterdam The Hague Airport at around 5:15 AM Dubai time.

Arrest Warrant and Legal Justification
President Ferdinand Marcos stated that Interpol Manila received the official ICC arrest warrant just hours before Duterte's arrival from Hong Kong. He emphasized that the arrest followed proper legal procedures and was carried out in compliance with international commitments.

“We followed every single necessary procedure… We followed the legal procedure that is necessary,” Marcos said. He denied claims that the arrest violated Philippine sovereignty, asserting that the country did not assist in the ICC’s investigation.

The ICC has been investigating Duterte and other high-ranking officials over allegations of extrajudicial killings tied to the drug war. While official police records report around 6,000 deaths, human rights groups claim the number could be as high as 30,000, including vigilante killings.

Sara Duterte Calls It ‘State Kidnapping’
Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, condemned the arrest, calling it a form of "state kidnapping."

“I’m telling you all, Filipinos, don’t allow a fellow Filipino to be handed over to foreigners, especially if it’s outside legal grounds. This is actually some sort of state kidnapping,” she told reporters. She further suggested that political motives were behind the arrest, pointing to upcoming midterm elections.

Duterte’s Stance on ICC Prosecution
The former president has repeatedly insisted that he should be tried in Philippine courts if necessary.

“If I commit a crime, you prosecute me in Philippine courts, with a Philippine judge and prosecutor, and I will be imprisoned in my own country if needed,” Rodrigo Duterte previously stated.

He has also rejected the ICC’s authority over him, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2018, which he believes strips the court of jurisdiction over his actions as president.