AP’s global reporting leads the way on Duterte’s arrest

By AP journalists in Hong Kong, Manila and The Hague

From Hong Kong to Manila to The Hague, AP’s global team delivered authoritative, real-time, all-formats coverage of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s historic arrest and extradition to the International Criminal Court.

Manila-based chief correspondent Jim Gomez was first tipped off by sources about Duterte’s possible flight from justice, prompting a swift deployment of AP staff. In Hong Kong, senior producer Rafael Wober, freelance videographer Alice Fung, and freelance photographer Vernon Yuen captured exclusive visuals of Duterte before his return to Manila.

There, stakeouts at the airport by photographer Aaron Favila and video journalist Bogie Calupitan led to the first reports confirming Duterte’s arrest.

With police blocking access, AP secured the last available images of Duterte as he was escorted onto a flight bound for The Hague. Upon his arrival, AP’s team landed an exclusive interview with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, filmed by video journalist Ahmad Seir.

Through meticulous planning and seamless cross-border collaboration, AP delivered unmatched reporting on this landmark international case.