Imee Marcos on Duterte’s Arrest: “’Di ako makapaniwala eh. Medyo nayanig ako masyado”
IMEE MARCOS – The senator expressed disbelief and deep concern over the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. Speaking in Tacloban City on March 11, 2025, she admitted feeling shaken by the news and sympathized with the former leader.
In a statement shared through ANC 24/7’s YouTube channel, Senator Marcos emphasized that she had not yet seen the official ICC warrant but was distressed by the situation. She questioned the impact of such political conflicts on the nation, lamenting that the cycle of political disputes only brings further division and does not benefit ordinary citizens.
“Nabigla ako sa pangyayari na inaresto si president Duterte. ‘Di ako makapaniwala eh. Medyo nayanig ako masyado. Kawawa naman. Kawawa naman si presidente Duterte,” she stated. When asked about her thoughts as a friend of the former president, she expressed frustration over what she sees as a recurring pattern in Philippine politics.
“Well, ang akin kasi. ‘Di na tayo natuto. Gulo lang ang dulot nito. ‘Di na tayo natuto, eto’ng paulit-ulit… Walang pakinabang sa mga naghihirap sa bayan ang banagayan ng politika. Parang naging siklo na tayo na ganito. Gumanda ba ang buhay natin dahil sa pamumulitika? Umasenso ba ang bansa? Hindi na tayo natuto” she remarked.
To recall, it was on March 7, 2025 that former President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to Hong Kong with Honeylet Avanceña, his daughter Veronica, and his group. His lawyer, Salvador Panelo, said that the trip was for Duterte to attend a campaign event organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) for the political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), which was meant for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). However, his departure happened at the same time as reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) was about to issue an arrest warrant against him.
On March 11, 2025, Duterte was arrested when he arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3 after returning from Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific flight. The arrest was based on a warrant from the ICC for crimes against humanity, which was carried out with the help of Interpol. Even though the Philippine government had a policy of not working with the ICC, a high-ranking official from the Marcos administration had earlier said that the country would follow its agreements with Interpol if a warrant was issued.