ICC welcomes Duterte's transfer to The Hague

The International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the arrest and transfer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague on Friday.

Duterte was served a warrant by top officials, spent 12 hours negotiating at Villamor Air Base, and traveled to The Hague in a chartered plane paid for by the Office of the President with three companions, including his personal lawyer Salvador Medialdea.

Despite concerns raised by some about the process, Joel Butuyan, an ICC-accredited counsel representing victims of the drug war, said that Philippine authorities 'substantially covered their legal bases considering the risks and exceptional circumstances of this warrant of arrest.'

Ted Te, a criminal law expert, noted that reading Duterte's Miranda rights was an extra step taken with great prudence to ensure he understood his protections under international law.

The extraordinary character of the arrest highlights the flexibility of international criminal law, which prioritizes cooperation over rigid adherence to formal procedures.