Rodrigo Roa Duterte (born March 28, 1945, Philippines) served as the 16th President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He gained international attention for his strict security policies and his "war on drugs" campaign. Before his presidency, he was the long-time mayor of Davao City, where he implemented policies that he later expanded nationwide. In 2025, he was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte - Anadolu Agency
Early Life and Education
Rodrigo Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Philippines. His father, Vicente Duterte, was a government official who later became the governor of Davao. His mother, Soledad Roa, was a teacher. When Duterte was four years old, his family moved to Davao. Growing up in a politically active family, he was exposed to political circles from an early age.
After completing high school, Duterte studied political science at Lyceum of the Philippines University. He graduated from San Beda College of Law in 1972, earning the right to practice law. Following his graduation, he began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Davao City Prosecutor's Office.
Political Career
Mayor of Davao City (1988–2016)
Duterte was elected mayor of Davao City in 1988 and served for seven terms. His tenure was marked by strict security policies and controversial crime-fighting methods that drew international scrutiny. Human rights organizations accused him of being linked to the so-called "Davao Death Squad," which allegedly targeted anti-government elements.
Duterte prioritized public safety policies during his time as mayor. While he claimed that his methods reduced crime rates, human rights groups argued that the process was marred by extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions.
President of the Philippines (2016–2022)
In the 2016 presidential election, Rodrigo Duterte won with 40% of the vote, becoming the 16th President of the Philippines. During his campaign, he focused on combating drugs, crime, and corruption, and upon taking office, he launched a large-scale "war on drugs."
During his presidency, Duterte granted law enforcement agencies extensive authority to crack down on drug dealers and users. According to official figures, at least 6,200 people were killed during these operations. However, international human rights organizations estimated the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000.
Duterte’s administration came under scrutiny from the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to allegations of human rights violations. In 2018, in response to an ICC preliminary investigation, the Philippines announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute. However, in 2023, the ICC decided to continue its investigation.
During his tenure, Duterte questioned the Philippines' traditional military alliance with the United States and sought closer ties with China. He made statements supporting China's claims in the South China Sea and took steps to terminate military agreements with the U.S.
At the end of his term in 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected as his successor. Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, was elected Vice President of the Philippines in the same election.
Arrest and ICC Proceedings
On March 11, 2025, Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila upon his return from Hong Kong. This arrest was carried out in accordance with an ICC-issued warrant for crimes against humanity.
The ICC reported that Duterte committed crimes against humanity between 2011 and 2019, particularly in Davao and nationwide, in connection with his anti-drug operations. The charges included murder, torture, and rape, leading to his arrest warrant.
Following his arrest, Duterte was transferred from the Philippines to The Hague, Netherlands, to stand trial before the ICC. The ICC Prosecutor described Duterte’s extradition as a significant step for international justice.
Supporters and Philippine National Police protest around Villamor Air Base where former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is being held, March 11, 2025 - Anadolu Agency
Personal Life
Rodrigo Duterte has three children with his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman-Duterte. One of them, Sara Duterte, served as the Vice President of the Philippines from 2022 to 2025. Duterte has another daughter, Veronica, with his current partner, Honeylet Avanceña.
