At Senate Hearing, DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla Speaks on his Role over Duterte’s Arrest
DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla admitted that he gave the clearances for the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his transfer to The Hague.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has caused political turmoil in the Philippine government. The officials have different stands on the matter. In the Senate, there is an ongoing probe over Duterte’s arrest led by Senator Imee Marcos.
Undeniably, countless Filipinos were left shocked and confused when the presidential sister herself led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in investigating Duterte’s arrest. Pres. Bongbong Marcos earned several “betrayal” accusations on Duterte’s arrest as well as criticisms over the unexpected turn of events.
Malacañang previously defended Marcos Jr. saying the government only acted on its job and its commitment with the Interpol. Sen. Imee Marcos left the Alyansa Para Sa Pagbabago led by the President citing the alleged differences on the government’s recent actions and her ideals and principles in life.=
The Senate panel led by Sen. Imee Marcos over Duterte’s arrest has conducted three (3) inquiries already. The government officials have attended the first and the third hearing. During the latest inquiry, Department of Justice or DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla admitted to issuing clearances for the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his transfer to The Hague.
Based on a report on GMA News, at the Senate inquiry, DOJ Sec. Boying Remulla described the clearances issued by the justice department as “probably the most important part” in the arrest. He stressed that he gave the implementer of the arrest the legal basis for all the actions that took place.
“I will admit it that I gave the clearances to—number one, serve the warrant of arrest as I saw it, as I deem fit. And number two, to fly him to The Hague, to be surrendered under Section 17 of Republic Act 9851,” he said.
Based on the report, at the Senate hearing, the senators have pressed Philippine Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Anthony Alcantara and PNP chief Pol. Gen. Rommel Marbil to name who ordered former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s boarding to the private jet that brought him to The Hague.
Alcantara refused to answer it saying that he is not in the authority to name it while Marbil invoked the executive privilege. Sen. Bato dela Rosa and Sen. Imee Marcos pressed them to answer the question.
“Nandito na tayo eh. Executive privilege ka d’yan,” Dela Rosa said.
DOJ Sec. Boying Remulla spoke asserting the alleged reason why they did not want to attend the prior hearing as they avoid to be bullied. Based on the report, both Senators denied bullying the executive officials for invoking executive privilege.
“That’s why we didn’t want to attend the last hearing because this is what we were expecting. We didn’t want to be bullied into a position,” Remulla said.
At the Senate hearing, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or CIDG chief Nicolas Torre III also admitted denying Duterte’s request to see Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.