Marcos: Nothing unlawful, political about Duterte’s arrest
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is legal.
In a rare late-night briefing on Tuesday, March 11, President Marcos confirmed that former president Duterte has left the country and is en route to The Hague, Netherlands, where he will face charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC.
“We followed every necessary procedure, we had a good basis on which to serve that warrant, and we read him his rights. We followed all the legal procedures that are necessary,” Marcos said.
“It is proper and correct,” he added.
However, Marcos made it clear that the Philippines was only working with (International Criminal Police Organization) Interpol, not the ICC.
“This is what the international community expects of us as a leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations,” Marcos said.
When asked if the arrest was politically motivated, Marcos distanced himself from the accusations, pointing out that the case against Duterte dates back to 2017, before he was in office.
“I don’t see how that can be political persecution on my hand because it was initiated before I even came into the picture,” Marcos said.
The president said that while it's natural for people to perceive political motives, the government is simply following the law.
Duterte was arrested on Tuesday morning after Interpol Manila received a Red Notice, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), which Duterte had often emboldened to kill drug suspects, was responsible for serving the arrest warrant to the former president.
Despite previously boasting about his lack of fear regarding the ICC, Duterte seemed to backpedal, reiterating that he would rather die than be arrested by a foreign body.
Despite previously bragging about his disregard for human rights, Duterte now cried foul over what he perceived as a lack of due process in his arrest.
“Show it to me now, the legal basis for my being here, as I apparently was brought here, not of my own volition. It is someone else’s,” Duterte said while being detained in Villamor Airbase.
Marcos had initially been keen to protect Duterte, but as their relationship soured over time, a series of controversies began to surround the influential Davao family.
Though the Duterte family has always been no stranger to controversy, allegations of human rights violations and corruption have gained more traction, leading to multiple Congressional investigations and law enforcement probes.
Duterte's bloody war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths, has been scrutinized by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Moreover, Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president's daughter, has faced impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives over alleged misuse of funds in her office.
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