Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said the government acted in the country’s best interest in implementing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“What is good for our country is what we did,” Remulla told reporters, responding to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ recommendation to investigate him and other officials involved in Duterte’s March 11 arrest.
The Senate panel, chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, urged the Office of the Ombudsman to probe Remulla; his brother, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla; Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III; and Ambassador Markus Lacanilao. They were accused of grave misconduct, graft, usurpation of judicial functions, and arbitrary detention.
Remulla welcomed the proposed investigation. “This is a welcome development. We’re not afraid of that,” he said, adding that they are willing to appear and cooperate with the Ombudsman.
Former President Duterte was arrested on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong and transferred to the Netherlands. He appeared via video conference before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on March 14.
Supporters of Duterte have questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, Philippine authorities coordinated with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in enforcing the warrant, citing the country’s international commitments.