The current leader has spoken up and shared the developments regarding his embattled predecessor.
During a press briefing at the Kalayaan Hall in the Malacañang Palace, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. shared details regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 11.
He confirmed that the chartered plane carrying former President Rodrigo Duterte took of at 11:03 pm that evening.
“The plane is en route to The Hague in the Netherlands, allowing the former President to face charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs.“
He also noted that Duterte was initially placed under government custody at Villamor Air Base after the ex-President landed in Manila from Hong Kong earlier that day.
“Mr. Duterte was arrested in compliance with our commitments to Interpol,” adding that the local office of the global police received the arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Interpol asked for help and wr obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol, which we have to fulfill,” Marcos explained.
The incumbent also warned that non-compliance would have meant that the said agency will no longer assist the Philippines in the future, listing past cooperations of the country with the Interpol.
Such was the case for dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and fugitive Arnolfo Teves.
“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 also confirmed that he has a physical copy of the arrest warrant, which he received at 3:00 am, enabling them to launch their operation on how to handle the matter in the morning.
The President also contradicted claims of unlawful arrest, saying “We followed every single necessary procedure. We had a very good basis on which to serve that warrant,” further explaining that they followed the legal route.
He also categorically denied the arrest of the former leader being a violation of the Philippines’ sovereignty.
“No. Bakit naman? Consistent naman tayo. ‘Di naman tayo tumutulong sa imbestigasyon ng ICC… meron tayong contact sa kanila, natural, pero not on an official level. We didn’t help them in any way.”
“The arrest that we did today was in compliance to our commitments to the Interpol. It just so happened that that came from the ICC,” he justified the actions taken.
Marcos also added that the gov’t, did not submit documents being requested by the ICC, but it had to remain cooperative with the Interpol who served the order.
He denied the event being an act of political persecution in the lead up to the next Presidential polls in 2028.
Marcos explained that the case was filed in 2017, during the term of ex-President Duterte.
“I don’t see how that can be political persecution on my part because that was initiated before I even came into the picture.”
As for calls for an uprising, he said that the “government is just doing its job… is following our local laws and its role in the international community.“
He also described arrest order as the mere evolution of the case.