Philippine officials denied prior coordination with the ICC regarding Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, while a senator highlighted contradicting language in an Interpol notice. The vice president suggested the arrest was politically motivated, with tensions escalating between the Duterte and Marcos families. Duterte’s family may seek legal aid through the ICC.
Philippine senators questioned officials about the government’s decision to transfer former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla denied any prior coordination with the ICC regarding the arrest, which took place on March 11. He emphasized that they had maintained distance from the ICC until the issuance of the arrest warrant through Interpol.
Senator Imee Marcos challenged Remulla’s claim, presenting language from an Interpol notice that implied prior consultations with the Philippine government. She emphasized that the notice indicated an agreement to comply with the arrest request. Remulla responded by characterizing the wording as a generic form letter rather than an explicit agreement related to Duterte’s arrest.
Prior to this, the Philippine government consistently rejected ICC cooperation, asserting that Duterte’s withdrawal from the court in 2019 negated its jurisdiction. However, recent comments suggested a shift towards compliance with Interpol requests for action.
Vice President Sara Duterte, participating in the hearing via video link, claimed that her father’s arrest was politically motivated, aimed at undermining opposition to the current administration. She accused the government of misusing resources and the ICC against political rivals and urged voters to support her party’s candidates in the upcoming elections.
The political conflict between the Duterte and Marcos families, which escalated after their 2022 election collaboration, has become increasingly public. Vice President Duterte faced impeachment charges related to alleged plots against her former running mate and currently awaits a Senate trial that may affect her future.
Furthermore, Vice President Duterte indicated that the family would likely apply for legal assistance through the ICC’s legal aid fund, indicating a potential reliance on external support for their legal challenges.
In summary, the Philippine government officials have categorically denied coordinating the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte with the International Criminal Court. This denial comes in the context of ongoing political disputes involving Duterte’s family and accusations of politically motivated actions by the current administration. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for the political landscape as the mid-term elections approach.
Original Source: www.france24.com
