Rodrigo Duterte 'being forced' to board a plane following arrest
Former president Rodrigo Duterte is "being forced" to board a plane following his arrest on Tuesday, March 11, under an International Criminal Court warrant.
On his daughter Veronica "Kitty" Duterte's Instagram story on Tuesday, CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III and former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea were seen discussing his transfer via a chartered flight.
"They are taking him out on a plane by force without considering his health conditions," Kitty wrote. It is not clear yet where the former president will be brought to as of writing.
In another Instagram Live posted by Kitty, the former president addressed his arrest, stressing that he wants to be prosecuted in the Philippines for his alleged crimes.
"Hindi ako papayag. I am a Filipino, you are all Filipino citizens. Ako, 'pag nagkasala, you prosecute me in Philippine courts, to a Filipino judge, Filipino prosecutor, and magpakulong ako dito sa bayan ko, kung sakali," he said.
"I am sure the Supreme Court will rebuke them [the ICC]," he added, seemingly on the petition filed by Sen. Bato Dela Rosa asking the SC to ban the national government from cooperating with the ICC probe. "Maski hindi tayo manghingi, the supreme court will rebuke them."
He further questioned his arrest, reiterating that the ICC has no jurisdiction as the Philippines has already withdrawn its membership from the Rome Statute of the international tribunal.
"At tsaka nag-withdraw na tayo, bakit mo ako dadalhin doon sa international body na hindi na tayo miyembro? That's the big question," Duterte said. "The fact that we are already not a member, so dapat intindihin ng mga abogado 'yan. Ask them seriously again...just ask them, sigurado ba kayo dito? Kasi hindi na tayo miyembro ng ICC."
"Sasama ako sa inyo," he told Torre. "Escape is not a problem. 'Wag apurado. Ang akin lang, I might not have the chance anymore to lecture you [on the] serious implications."
"We have withdrawn, and then you would allow me to be brought by the body of which we are no longer a member," he reiterated. "Kaya sabihin mo diyan sa prosecutor, sabi ni mayor, kindly ponder on this seriously."
He also talked about the possible "implication" of his arrest, citing Vice President Sara Duterte's possible run for the presidency.
"Because magkakaroon ito ng implication, unang una, my family, lalo na si Vice President, bukas mag president 'yan, waswas tayong lahat dito," he said. "In the longer term, tatakbo 'yan, mananalo 'yan dahil nga sa ginawa ninyo," he added.
"What's the worst that they can [do?] Hague, malayo masiyado 'yang Hague, hindi papayag ang Supreme Court diyan, may mga abogado," he continued.
“They are actually taking you to The Hague. Yoon ang sinabi ni General Torre,” said Atty. Martin Delgra, to which Duterte replied, “Ah, that is kidnapping."
VP Sara speaks up
Sara also issued a statement regarding her father's arrest, arguing that it demonstrates the government's willingness to "abandon" its citizens and "betray" its sovereignty and national dignity.
"Mga kababayan," she started. "Today, our own government has surrendered a Filipino citizen—even a former President at that —to foreign powers. This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation’s independence."
She said that her father "is being denied his fundamental rights" and has been prevented from appearing before a court to defend his rights and "allow him to avail of reliefs provided by law."
"As I write this, he is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight. This is not justice—this is oppression and persecution," she wrote.
ICC assistant to counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said that an individual who was arrested under the warrant of arrest of the ICC must be turned over to by the local enforcement officer of the member state and be transferred to The Hague, Netherlands for trial as soon as possible. She also noted the possibility that Duterte may be sent to other ICC member countries for trial.
However, international law professor Atty. Rommel Bagares said that the transfer could not be carried out that soon due to the extradition process.
In an interview on News5's Frontline, Bagares said, "It has to go through the national proceedings to ensure that the arrest is actually proper and legal according to the rules. National law will be respected by the ICC."
Malacañang confirmed in a statement at 11:05 a.m. Duterte's arrest upon his arrival in Manila. It said Interpol Manila received an official copy of the ICC warrant against him.
While in Hong Kong on Monday, Duterte said he was ready for arrest if a warrant was issued and has repeatedly defended his crackdown on drugs.
In November 2024, Duterte dared the ICC to "hurry up" with its probe.
This is contrary to what he said before disembarking the aircraft on Tuesday morning: "You will just have to kill me. Hindi ako papayag kung kakampi d'yan sa mga puti."
Upon assuming office in 2016, the Duterte administration launched its flagship bloody war on drugs called Oplan Tokhang, which saw the execution of thousands of suspected drug peddlers, users, and small-time criminals.
