Senator Imee Marcos has invited Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and other key government officials to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Officials Summoned for Inquiry
Among those asked to attend the Senate inquiry on Thursday are:
- Department of Transportation-Office for Transportation Security Administrator Arthur Bisnar
- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla
- Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra
- Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Emilio Aquino
- Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Raul del Rosario
- Deputy Executive Secretary Amante Liberato
- BGen. Jean Fajardo, Police Regional Office 3 Head
Focus of the Inquiry
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Marcos, seeks to determine whether due process was followed when Duterte was turned over to the ICC to face charges of crimes against humanity.
Marcos emphasized the need to clarify the roles played by the ICC, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and various government agencies in Duterte’s arrest.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring that Duterte’s rights under domestic laws and international treaties were upheld throughout the process.
Additional Government Officials Invited
Also summoned to the inquiry are:
- Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon
- National Security Council Director General Eduardo Año
- Philippine Air Force Commanding General Arthur Cordura
- Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
- PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil
- PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief MGen. Nicolas Torre III
- Philippine Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Retired General Anthony Alcantara
Background on Duterte’s Arrest
Duterte was arrested on March 11 after the ICC issued a warrant for his alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,000 individuals.
The ICC coursed the warrant through Interpol, which then coordinated with the Philippine government to facilitate the arrest.
Marcos: Arrest Has Divided the Nation
In a statement on Monday, Senator Marcos acknowledged that Duterte’s arrest has caused deep division within the country.
“It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed. Our sovereignty and legal processes must remain paramount,” she said.
