By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Malacañang has yet to receive any information from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) regarding potential arrest warrants for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s co-accused in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into his controversial war on drugs.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said if ever arrest warrants were issued against the co-accused, the government would respond in the same manner as it did with Duterte’s arrest.
“As of now, wala po kaming nare-receive na information kung meron pa pong darating na warrant of arrest through the Interpol (As of now, we have not received any information if there will be more warrants of arrest to be issued through the Interpol),” Castro said.
“Kung meron man po, ganun pa rin po ang magiging tugon namin. Kapag hiningi po ang koordinasyon ng administrasyon, tutugon pa rin po tayo (If there is, the government’s response would be the same. Once the Interpol seeks the administration’s cooperation, we will again oblige).”
Duterte was apprehended on Tuesday by Interpol and local police personnel in connection with the ICC investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity committed during his time as Davao City mayor and president.
Duterte’s rule has been marred with allegations of human rights abuses linked to his anti-narcotics crackdown.
Addressing criticisms on Duterte’s arrest, Castro defended the government’s actions, calling it a “normal” procedure under Philippine law.
“What we did, what the government did was regular. It is based on the law. Based on our law, RA (Republic Act) 9851. It is normal,” she said.
Section 70 of RA 9851 states that “authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties.”
In a press briefing Tuesday night, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that Duterte’s arrest complied with the Philippines’ commitment to the Interpol.
“Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol, which we have to fulfill. If we don’t do that, they will not – they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,” Marcos said.
Duterte was placed under government custody at Villamor Air Base on Tuesday morning after he, his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña, and members of his entourage arrived from Hong Kong.
A plane carrying Duterte later departed Manila en route to The Hague, Netherlands where he is set to face the charges filed against him in connection with his war on drugs. (PNA)
