--- title: Rodrigo Duterte slug: rodrigo-duterte-748753 url: /detay/rodrigo-duterte-748753 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Rodrigo Duterte type: biography disambiguation: Rodrigo Duterte: 16th Philippine president (2016-2022). Known for his "war on drugs" and controversial policies. ICC arrest in 2025. categories: - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler tags: - Davao - "War on Drugs" - ICC - Duterte - Philippines author: Edanur Karakoç created_at: 2025-03-13T13:38:42.165520+03:00 updated_at: 2025-04-17T11:11:42.040057+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/13/TVJFrkmLq4zSf2nzcdH1odgq1kX73Uqa.jpg --- # Rodrigo Duterte > Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the 16th President of the Philippines. (1945–) ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Rodrigo Roa Duterte ![thumbs_b_c_7f4511267a1ed0377f6ac99660f01314.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/13/ibOrKCu4NbCGIiHHuv8cFZXjx2rs1RZK.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Place of Birth(Text) | Maasin, Southern Leyte, Philippines | | Date of Birth(Date) | 1945-03-28 | | Education | San Beda College of Law,Lyceum of the Philippines University | | Child(ren) | Veronica Duterte,Sebastian Duterte,Paolo Duterte,Sara Duterte | | Spouse(s) | Honeylet Avanceña (current),Elizabeth Zimmerman | | Political Career | President of the Philippines,Mayor of Davao City | ## Article Content Rodrigo Roa Duterte (born [March](/en/detay/march/llms.txt) 28, 1945, [Philippines](/en/detay/philippines-2fd1a/llms.txt)) served as the 16th [President of the Philippines](/en/detay/rodrigo-duterte-748715/llms.txt) 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. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/03/13/wzgLekVjBzCSRwW3WfHwzJnyhFEuxDkA.jpg) *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](/en/detay/an-2/llms.txt) early age. After completing high school, Duterte studied political science [at](/en/detay/at-3/llms.txt) 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](/en/detay/steps-6/llms.txt) 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](/en/detay/arrest-of-rodrigo-duterte-2a4e9/llms.txt) 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. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/03/13/TpRbpZYTNBP5oVsq1T9US0AZCKrPwF4X.jpg) *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](/en/detay/has-3/llms.txt) 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. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Eski Filipinler Devlet Başkanı Duterte UCM'ye Teslim Edildi." AA. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/eski-filipinler-devlet-baskani-duterte-ucmye-teslim-edildi/3507940. 2. BBC News. "Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines’ Controversial Former Leader." BBC News. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-36659258. 3. Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Australia. "The Philippines: President." Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.philembassy.org.au/the-philippines/president. 4. Reuters. "Philippine Ex-Leader Duterte, Long Defiant on Deadly Drug War." Reuters. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-ex-leader-duterte-long-defiant-deadly-drug-war-2025-03-11/. 5. The Guardian. "Who is Rodrigo Duterte? The Populist Architect of the Philippines’ Bloody War on Drugs." The Guardian. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/11/who-is-rodrigo-duterte-the-populist-architect-of-the-philippines-bloody-war-on-drugs-ntwnfb.