BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defended the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying it was legally justified and in line with the country’s commitments to Interpol.
Following Duterte’s flight to the Netherlands, Marcos explained that the arrest followed proper legal procedures.
Before his departure, Duterte questioned the legal grounds for his arrest.
Despite insisting that the arrest was lawful, Marcos reiterated that the Philippine government would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation.
Malacañang also denied that the arrest was an act of political persecution.
“This is not about politics. The International Criminal Court is a step closer to justice,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte described the arrest as “state kidnapping,” a claim that Malacañang strongly rejected.
Duterte is scheduled to appear before the ICC for a pre-trial hearing on Friday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m. Netherlands time.
