Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the proponent of the now banished POGO industry, has been arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over his deadly “war on drugs”.
Duterte was arrested by police in Manila airport shortly after his arrival from Hong Kong, where he was campaigning for his senatorial slate in the upcoming May 12th mid-term elections.
The Duterte administration moved to suspend the global court’s investigation in late 2021 by arguing that Philippine authorities were already looking into the same allegations, arguing the ICC didn’t have jurisdiction.
Appeals judges at the ICC ruled in 2023 the investigation could resume and rejected the Duterte administration’s objections.
Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects in the most heinous international crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As President of the Philippines (2016–2022), Duterte played a key role in the growth and regulation of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry, which he saw as a way to boost government revenues.
A former mayor of one of the country’s largest cities, Duterte swept to power on the promise of a widespread crackdown against crime. Under his administration, POGOs flourished due to his relatively friendly stance toward Chinese investments.
The government saw the sector as a major revenue source, particularly from taxes and licensing fees and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), under Duterte, was tasked with licensing and regulating POGOs. However, enforcement was often inconsistent, leading to issues such as tax evasion and illegal operations.
Despite initially supporting the industry, Duterte later ordered crackdowns on illegal POGO activities, particularly amid growing concerns over crime, human trafficking, and national security risks.
In 2021, his administration imposed higher taxes on POGOs, causing some operators to leave the country, but the industry would remain in place until current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a formal order banning the companies last year.
The President’s Executive Order cited national security and public order as the paramount reasons for closing down POGOs, which began to thrive during the previous administration but had increasingly been linked to organized crime.
The directive covered POGOs, IGLs (internet gaming licensees) and other offshore gaming operators that lack the necessary license, permit, or authorizations that are covered by the ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling.
The country has now set a new target to eliminate all illegal POGOs, many of which are operating on a smaller scale, by the end of the year.
Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, is also the Philippines’ current vice-president and is tipped as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. However, in recent months, the Duterte family’s alliance with incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos unraveled.
On February 5th of this year, the Philippine House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte due to several allegations, including her implied death threats towards President Marcos, irregularities in her use of office funds, unexplained wealth, incitement of sedition, abuse of power and betrayal of public trust.
Meanwhile, the government of President Marcos has indicated that Duterte could be handed over to the court, Reuters reported.
“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, according to Reuters.
