Philippine Senate Opens Inquiry into Duterte’s Arrest and Transfer to the ICC
The Philippine Senate announced on Monday the formation of an investigative committee regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte last week in Manila, who is now appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity during his bloody “war on drugs.”
The Senate launched the investigation at the request of Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and a close friend of Duterte’s eldest daughter, Sara Duterte, who currently serves as vice president.
“As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, I urgently call for an investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an issue that has caused a deep divide in the nation,” Senator Marcos said in a statement on Monday.
“It is essential to verify that due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights are respected and protected,” she added, emphasizing, “Our sovereignty and judicial processes must remain paramount,” according to Agence France-Presse.
The first hearing is set for Thursday, where police officials and government representatives will testify.
On March 11, Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested shortly after landing at Manila International Airport following a short trip to Hong Kong. He was flown to The Hague the next day to be transferred to the ICC.
He is suspected of involvement in crimes against humanity due to killings committed during a years-long anti-drug campaign that left tens of thousands dead, according to human rights organizations.
While the families of victims hope for justice, Duterte’s supporters believe he was kidnapped and sent to The Hague as a victim of internal power struggles between the Duterte and Marcos families, who were once allies in governing the country.
The apparent unity between the Marcos and Duterte families collapsed ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in May, paving the way for threats and rumors of a coup.
