Philippine officials, including Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla, denied coordinating with the ICC regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The arrest occurred on March 11, linked to charges of crimes against humanity. Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the arrest as politically motivated and suggested her family may seek legal aid from the ICC.
Philippine senators interrogated government officials regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla asserted that there was no prior coordination between the Philippine government and the ICC before Duterte’s arrest on March 11, when he was sent to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity tied to his drug war.
During the hearing, Remulla emphasized the government had maintained a distance from the ICC until they received an arrest warrant through Interpol. He remarked, “We never, up to now, had any communication with the ICC, officially or unofficially.”
Senator Imee Marcos pointed out language from the Interpol diffusion that implied some level of coordination with the Philippine government. The diffusion mentioned agreement for compliance, prompting Remulla to question who might have communicated with the ICC on behalf of the Philippines since it was not the current administration.
Previously, the Philippine government refused to cooperate with ICC investigations, citing Duterte’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019. However, recent indications revealed a change in stance, with officials stating a willingness to comply if approached by Interpol.
As the hearing progressed, Vice President Sara Duterte, joining remotely from The Hague, contended her father’s arrest was politically motivated, aiming to undermine the opposition. She asserted, “This is all about politics. The administration is using government resources, the ICC to demolish the opposition.”
Later, Vice President Duterte conducted an online briefing calling on voters to support her party’s candidates in the upcoming May elections, implying her father’s arrest was a tactic to influence election outcomes.
Tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families escalated, especially after Vice President Duterte faced impeachment related to serious allegations. Duterte also announced family plans to secure legal aid through the ICC’s legal assistance program, stating, “There’s a big possibility that we will apply for legal aid and this will not be a privately funded case.”
In summary, the Philippine government denies prior coordination with the ICC regarding Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest for crimes against humanity. Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla clarified that communications were nonexistent until the arrest warrant was received. Vice President Sara Duterte perceived the arrest as politically motivated, aimed at derailing opposition. The complex dynamics between the Duterte and Marcos families reflect ongoing political struggles, with potential legal assistance sought by Duterte’s family through ICC resources.
Original Source: www.france24.com
