‘BULLYING’ DECRIED
“WE do not want to be bullied. This is precisely the reason why we don’t want to attend the last hearing. You want the person to admit things.”
Thus said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as he pushed back against the conduct of the Senate inquiry into the arrest and surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the hearing had crossed into what he described as “bullying” of government officials invited to testify in the Senate Committee of Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Imee Marcos.
“Napansin ko lang po Madam Chair, parang nagiging bullying na po ang hearing na ito,” Remulla remarked during the April 10 hearing as he insisted that there is legal basis for the government to surrender the former President before the ICC.
Remulla’s statement came after a prolonged and at times heated interrogation of Civil Defense Ambassador Markus Lacanilau, who served as the Philippine government’s representative during Duterte’s transfer to ICC custody. Senators repeatedly questioned Lacanilau’s authority, the accuracy of the forms he signed, and the apparent lack of coordination with judicial authorities.
Remulla asked for reconsideration of the contempt order moved by Senator Ronaldo Bato dela Rosa against Amb. Lacanilau for what he perceived as vaguely answering some questions which took place during the arrest of Duterte before he was brought to the Hague.
“It is covered with the Executive order. It is an internal deliberation which should not be discussed in public,” Remulla insisted as he expressed opposition to an executive session explaining that most of the time, even if it is in an executive session, matters may be revealed which he maintained is detrimental to the Executive.
Remulla also stood to defend CIDG Chief General Nicholas Torre when the latter was being grilled by senators for allegedly violating the Constitution in favor of the ICC’s arrest of Duterte.
“Everything I did was within the ambit of the law. Kung may gustong magreklamo and may nalabag na karapatan nila, I am willing to face them in court. Nakahanda po ako” Torre was quoted as saying.
Remulla said he is willing to take responsibility for the actions and decisions of his men explaining that the order actually emanate from him as the DOJ chief.
“I gave them the legal basis. I will admit it. I gave them the go signal and the clearance. It is me.” Remulla said as he voiced his frustration over the treatment of invited officials and envoys, expressing concern that the hearing were being used to intimidate rather than elicit clarity.
Senator Marcos challenged the justification of the arrest of Duterte and the way it was executed saying that the Constitution should prevail in the actual arrest of the former president.
But Remulla maintained that the Philippines is a member of the community of nations who are helping and assisting one another.
“Mahirap pong talikuran ang ating obligations sa community of nations.” Remulla said
Reportedly, the arrest of Duterte in early March followed an Interpol “diffusion notice” — not a formal arrest warrant or red notice — which has fueled questions over whether the Philippine government acted prematurely or outside proper legal processes. Several senators, including Marcos, Alan Peter Cayetano,Sen. dela Rosa, and Sen Christopher Bong Go, expressed their concern that Duterte was turned over to the ICC without due process.
Senator Marcos challenged the government’s decision to surrender Duterte in the absence of a formal extradition request or red notice without the local court’s participation.
Secretary Remulla maintained that the surrender was done under what he believed was the best judgment at the time. “Ito po, it is the best judgment. This is the best thing to do. Kaya ginawa po namin,” he said as he further said that his people including General Torre were ready preparing for contingency.
Philippine National Police Chief Rommel Marbil cited the fact that it was from former President Duterte who publicly announced that the ICC will be arresting him anytime soon and that was precisely the reason why they are preparing for contingency plan.
Reportedly, the ICC is pursuing Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte’s presidency, but the Court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member.
“Umalis nga po tayo sa ICC nuong panahon ni Pangulong Duterte ngunit hindi natin ni repeal and Rep. Act 9851 na nagbibigay recognition sa ICC. Naiwan po yun. At yun din ang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya ma extradite ngayon dahil hindi na tayo miyembro sa ICC kayat walang power ang kasalukuyan gobyerno na hilingin ang kanyang extradition,” Remulla explained.
Senator Marcos insisted on further clarification of the timeline and legal documents involved in Duterte’s transfer abroad. She also questioned the way Duterte was treated as well as his family including the alleged deprivation of his right which Sec. Remulla and Gen. Torre denied vehemently maintaining that there was no violation in the arrest of the former president.
