‘ICC ARREST LEGAL’
AMID claims that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant was illegal, House leaders on Wednesday stressed that the entire process was properly executed, livestreamed and backed by legal authority.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list denied that the arrest of Duterte was a “kidnapping” as alleged by some of the former president’s allies.
“Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit masasabi nating kidnapping. Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng kidnapping na may blow-by-blow account. Online streaming pa, di ba? Kung kidnapping yun, ewan ko na lang,” Acidre told reporters in a press conference.
“Ang dami nilang sinasabi kasi, katulad ng sinabi ‘di naman nila maharap ‘yung mga victims direkta. Mabuti nga ngayon may livestream pa sila. Yung mga napatay dati, katok lang patay na kagad,” he added.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon refuted assertions made by Duterte’s allies, emphasizing that the ICC’s jurisdiction remains valid despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
“Well on that aspect, again we have to remember that the effectivity of the withdrawal of the Philippine government under the Rome Statute took effect last March of 2019. But the case was filed prior to its withdrawal. In other words, the International Criminal Court has already acquired jurisdiction over it,” Bongalon said.
He pointed out that the ICC’s warrant was issued in coordination with the Interpol, and the Philippine government had a legal duty to enforce it.
“In other words, natanggap na po ng gobyerno yung tinatawag na warrant of arrest at wala tayong magagawa but to implement and effect the warrant,” he said.
Acidre added that the Supreme Court has already ruled that the country remains bound by ICC obligations for cases initiated before the withdrawal.
“If I may add, I think the restriction of the ICC despite our withdrawal from the Rome Statute has been affirmed already by the Supreme Court, especially in the ruling in Pangilinan v. Cayetano,” Acidre said.
He underscored that the arrest was properly documented and followed international protocols.
“Nakita naman natin. Nandun yung warrant, was served. Binasa yung Miranda rights. And then he was taken in custody, and then proper medical attention was given. And then the country is duty-bound to deliver him to the Interpol who in turn will deliver the former president to The Hague,” Acidre noted.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union dismissed allegations that the Marcos administration orchestrated Duterte’s arrest.
“Fake news po ‘yon,” Ortega said, addressing claims that Malacañang had a hand in the ICC proceedings.
Bongalon also reiterated that the case against Duterte was not filed by the government but by the families of EJK victims who had lost faith in local justice mechanisms.
“The case was filed during the incumbency of President Duterte. It so happens that the arrest warrant was issued at the time of Marcos administration. So, what will the administration do? Again, we are duty-bound under our commitment by being a party, a long-standing member of Interpol,” he explained.
Ortega said Duterte’s camp is attempting to politicize the issue rather than acknowledge the gravity of the case against him.
