Sen. Imee Marcos Raises Questions on the Arrest of Duterte, Transfer of Custody to ICC
IMEE MARCOS – The Senator raised questions and spoke her side on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Upon his arrival from Hong Kong over a week ago, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was unexpectedly arrested by the authorities of the Philippine National Police (PNP). According to the Palace, the Interpol Manila received a copy of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the former President.
The ICC has long investigated the war on drugs of the Duterte administration. However, the probe did not sit well with the then-President and he removed the country from the ICC membership in 2019. According to the international court, there are accusations against the former President on the years that the Philippines is still under the Rome Statute.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte gained different reactions from the people. Several lawmakers also reacted to the unexpected turn of events. Following Duterte’s arrest, Sen. Imee Marcos skipped the Marcos-led Alyansa campaign rally in Tacloban. She admitted that she cannot accept what was done to FPRRD.
Sen. Marcos called for an investigation on the arrest of Duterte. For Sen. Bato dela Rosa who is a close ally of the former President, Pres. Bongbong Marcos allegedly committed “betrayal to the max” on the arrest of the former President. He claimed that the Chief Executive allegedly did not stand by his words over the ICC issue.
Marcos Jr. earlier said that the government acted on the arrest of Duterte not because it came from the ICC but because of its commitment with the Interpol. The Palace defended the President saying he did not betray anyone and the government just did its job.
Recently, presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos who leads the senate panel investigating the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke on the issue. Based on a report on GMA News, the Senator raised questions on the arrest of the former President after presenting video clips during the turn of events.
“Ito ang napanood ng buong bansa, at ang tanging tanong, bakit natin isinuko ang isang kapwang Pilipino? Kung ang iyong kapatid ay inuusig, ipapasa mo ba sa kamay ng iba?” Marcos said.
According to Sen. Imee Marcos, the government surrerendered former Pres. Duterte to the foreigners as if he has no country and the Philippines cannot investigate him. Based on the report, she also asked when the country became a province of the Hague.
“Ganito ang nangyari ngayon. Isinuko natin si Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa dayuhan na para bang wala siyang sariling bayan, na para bang hindi na nating kayang humusga sa sarili nating tahanan,” the Senator said.
Sen. Imee Marcos stressed that bigger than Duterte, the issue is about the dignity of the Filipinos. According to her, the justice that a foreign entity would impose against a Filipino is not justice but allegedly slavery. Previously, Malacañang reacted to the absence of Sen. Marcos and other ‘Alyansa’ bets at the Tacloban Rally.