Former Philippine President Questions Legality of His Arrest

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has spoken out against his detention at Villamor Air Base following his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity.

In an Instagram post, Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, his daughter, shared a photo of her father sitting in a lounge at Villamor Air Base with the caption: "Illegal detention. No warrant of arrest."

She also posted several Instagram stories showing Duterte questioning the legal basis for his detention.

"What is the law, and what crime have I committed?" he asked.

"Show me now the legal basis for my being here. Clearly, I was brought here not of my own volition but by someone else. If not by another person, then it must be you, because this is your structure. So, you must now answer for depriving me of my liberty."

Duterte’s Family and Allies React

Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was present with the Duterte family, also expressed outrage:

"He doesn’t even know what charges are being brought against him. And are we seriously following an entity that we are no longer a member of? The Philippines already withdrew from the ICC."

Meanwhile, Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, mayor of Davao and Duterte’s son, called the arrest "a political maneuver" by the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"This is a deliberate political crackdown. They are using cooperation with the ICC to bring my father down."

Malacañang Confirms Duterte’s Detention

Earlier on Tuesday (March 12, 2024), a spokesperson for Malacañang confirmed that Duterte was taken into custody under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant was served upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong.

This detention is part of the ICC's ongoing investigation into Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), approximately 6,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations. However, human rights organizations argue that the actual number could be as high as 30,000, including extrajudicial killings by vigilante groups.

Philippines' Withdrawal from ICC: Why Is Duterte Still Being Investigated?

In 2019, under Duterte’s leadership, the Philippines officially withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. This move came after The Hague-based tribunal launched an investigation into Duterte’s administration over the alleged mass killings in the drug war.

However, the ICC argues that it still has jurisdiction over the alleged crimes, as they occurred before the Philippines' withdrawal. Duterte and his allies have consistently opposed this claim, asserting that the country is no longer bound by the ICC’s rulings.

What’s Next for Duterte?

Given the current situation, several possibilities could unfold:

1. Duterte could be extradited to The Hague to face trial before the ICC.
2. The Philippines may face diplomatic pressure, particularly from human rights organizations and the international community.
3. The Marcos Jr. administration may come under intense scrutiny for cooperating with the ICC, potentially escalating political tensions in the country.

This arrest could become one of the most significant political events in modern Philippine history, with far-reaching implications for foreign policy, relations with the ICC, and domestic political stability.

👉 What do you think about Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest? Is this a just decision or a political move? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🚨