‘I will accept arrest if ICC issues warrant’ – Former Philippines’ President

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that he was ready for possible arrest following reports that the International Criminal Court, ICC, was poised to issue a warrant over his years-long war on drugs that killed many people.

The war on drugs is said to be the signature campaign policy that swept Duterte to power in 2016 as a maverick crime-busting mayor, who delivered on promises he made during vitriolic speeches to kill thousands of narcotics dealers.

The office of the current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday that no official communication had been received from Interpol yet, but indicated that 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.

It was not immediately clear how long Duterte would stay in Hong Kong, which is not a party to the ICC.

Duterte was in the city to speak at a campaign rally attended by thousands of Filipino workers, hoping to boost support for his senatorial candidates in upcoming Philippine midterm elections.

“Assuming the warrant is true, why did I do it? For myself? For my family? For you and your children, and for our nation,” Duterte told the rally, justifying his brutal anti-narcotics campaign.

The Hong Kong government’s security bureau and police gave no immediate response to a request for comment.

The Philippines presidential office dismissed speculation that Duterte might evade the law by visiting Hong Kong, while appealing to Duterte’s supporters to allow the legal process to take its course.