Statement of Malacañang over Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s Possible Bid for Interim Release
Malacañang spoke on the stand of the Philippine government over a possible bid of former President Rodrigo Duterte for interim release.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is detained at the detention facility of the ICC (International Criminal Court) in The Hague, Netherlands for more than a week now. He was arrested in Manila last March 11 upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) implemented the arrest of former Pres. Duterte. Amid Vice Pres. Sara Duterte questioning the silence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the arrest of the former President, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that the AFP only assisted in the “law enforcement operation”.
Undeniably, there are questions on the legality of the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Philippine government and Pres. Bongbong Marcos earned criticisms from the supporters of the former President following his arrest.
Many people believe that Pres. Bongbong Marcos had the power to not allow the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Chief Executive who previously stressed that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the Philippines is accused of betraying the Filipinos and the country.
Malacañang defended Marcos Jr. from betrayal accusations. According to the Palace, the government only did its job in lieu of its commitment with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Marcos Jr. denied it was political persecution. According to him, the issue was already present even before he assumed the presidency. He also denied that the government acted on the arrest because it came from the ICC.
Amid the detention of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the ICC detention facility in The Hague, there are talks if the camp of the former President will apply for an interim release. Malacañang was also asked about it.
Based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang maintained that the Philippines does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC in the country. Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro cited her belief that the Duterte family wishes the government and the Supreme Court not to cooperate with the foreign court.
“So, it means that if we will not cooperate with the ICC, even that prayer or even that manifestation of the ICC, we will not recognize as of that… Though it’s hypothetical, but as we speak now, we do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines,” the press officer of Malacañang said.
Recently, Duterte’s partner Honeylet Avanceña and daughter Kitty Duterte have arrived in The Hague ahead of the former President’s birthday. The Malacañang officer told the public to sing Duterte a “Happy Birthday”.