Ex-President Duterte ARRESTED?
DUTERTE – According to sources, former President Duterte is currently in police custody, though details surrounding the situation remain unclear.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was taken into police custody on Tuesday morning upon his arrival from Hong Kong, sources confirmed. However, authorities have yet to clarify whether this was in connection to an alleged arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
A video shared with ABS-CBN News captured Duterte’s defiant stance before disembarking from the plane. “You will just have to kill me, kung hindi ako papayag kung, kakampi ka d’yan sa mga puti,” he said, reinforcing his opposition to foreign intervention.
Earlier in the day, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and several police officers were seen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). When asked about the heavy police presence, Torre simply stated, “Sasalubungin lang namin,” without confirming its relation to the ICC investigation.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a close ally of Duterte, hinted at a possible arrest, expressing dismay over the situation. “Alam n’yo nakakalungkot. Sabi ko nga sa mga pulis, papaaresto nila yung taong ginawa lang ang trabaho niya para sa bayan. Sinakripisyo niya lahat,” Go stated. He also claimed that their access to the airport was restricted, adding, “Hindi kami makapasok, pinagbawalan lang kami pumasok. Kinansel lahat yung pass namin.”
The ICC has been investigating alleged extrajudicial killings committed during Duterte’s war on drugs, probing whether these amounted to state-sanctioned crimes against humanity. Duterte has continuously denied any wrongdoing and insisted that his actions were in the best interest of the nation.
“Wala akong maalala na ginawa kong kasalanan. Marami akong ginawa na hindi nagustuhan ng iba or maybe lahat but I did it for my country,” Duterte said in an interview with SMNI, a network owned by his ally Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Watch the video below:
Supporters of the former president gathered at the airport, chanting “Duterte” around 10:30 a.m., showing their solidarity amid the controversy. Duterte also refuted accusations of corruption, asserting that he remains untainted by wealth accumulation during his presidency. “Hindi ako yumaman, wala akong nakuha, pobre pa rin ako,” he emphasized.
As the situation unfolds, the public awaits further clarification from the authorities on whether Duterte’s detention is linked to the ICC probe or other legal proceedings.
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