Philippine officials deny coordinating the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte with the ICC, despite Senator Imee Marcos alleging deeper involvement. Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla states the government had no contact with the ICC before the arrest. Political tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families coincide with the extradition, leading to claims of politicization of the issue. Duterte indicates plans to seek legal aid for her family related to the case.
Philippine officials affirmed their noninvolvement in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, following his extradition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11. Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla argued the government had maintained a distance from the ICC until an arrest warrant was received through Interpol, claiming, “We never, up to now, had any communication with the ICC, officially or unofficially.”
Senator Imee Marcos challenged this assertion, drawing attention to the Interpol diffusion, which she interpreted as indicating prior consultation with the Philippine government for the arrest. However, Remulla dismissed this, suggesting it was merely a standard form letter lacking explicit connection to the Duterte case.
The Philippine government had previously resisted ICC cooperation, asserting a lack of jurisdiction after withdrawing from the court in 2019. This stance shifted recently, as officials acknowledged their obligation to act following Interpol requests. Vice President Sara Duterte expressed that her father’s arrest was politically motivated, aimed at undermining the opposition, a claim that reflects ongoing tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families.
The vice president suggested the administration’s actions were driven by a politically charged fear of losing support in upcoming midterm elections. She encouraged constituents to support her party’s candidates in response to this turmoil. Additionally, Duterte indicated plans to request legal aid for her family’s legal expenses through the ICC’s legal aid fund, underscoring the serious implications of the ongoing political discord.
The involvement of Philippine officials in the extradition of Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC raises several questions regarding political motivations and the nature of intergovernmental communication. As the government navigates complex affiliations and allegations of political maneuvering, the situation remains rife with tension between prominent families. This episode highlights the intricate relationship between domestic politics and international law.
Original Source: www.france24.com
