Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Arrested over ICC Warrant, Brought to The Hague
ICC – Following the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the International Criminal Court issued a statement.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s recent arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) came as a shock to countless Filipinos most especially his supporters. The former Chief Executive of the Philippines just arrived from Hong Kong when the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) took his custody.
Following the arrest, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) was quick to confirm the unexpected turn of events saying that the Interpol Manila has received a copy of the warrant of arrest issued against Duterte by the International Criminal Court.
The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation on the controversial war on drugs of the Duterte administration. The probe did not sit well with Duterte who decided to remove the Philippines from its membership to the international treaty. Until now, there are calls most especially from human rights advocates for Pres. Bongbong Marcos to reconsider the PH joining the ICC.
Based on a report on GMA News, the International Criminal Court welcomed the arrest and transfer of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He recently arrived in The Hague and Duterte has entered The Hague Prison where he will stay awaiting the trial.
Through a statement, ICC Office of the Prosecutor chief Karim Khan tagged the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as as “important development in the Office’s pursuit of accountability in the situation in the Republic of the Philippines” over the alleged crimes committed during the war on drugs campaign.
According to Khan, the arrest of Duterte is a crucial step in their continuous pursuit to achieve accountability for the victims of crimes under the office’s jurisdiction. Based on the report, in the statement, it was noted that while PH is no longer under the ICC, the alleged crimes were supposedly committed when the country was still under the Rome Statute.
“The Chamber also noted that the case against Mr. Duterte falls within the jurisdiction of the Court as the alleged crimes occurred during the period when the Philippines was a State Party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty,” it stated.
Based on the report, preparations for the initial appearance of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has began as well as the preparations for the subsequent judicial proceedings. The ICC is also hopeful for potential cooperation with the Philippine authorities amid its continuous probe.
Previously, amid the countless negative opinions against the Marcos administration, Malacañang defended that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is a different case citing the allegations of crimes.