President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday night reaffirmed that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte complied with the Philippines’ commitment to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
In a Palace briefing, President Marcos said that the Interpol Manila had received an official copy of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Duterte.
The Prosecutor General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) served the warrant as Duterte alighted from the plane from Hong Kong.
“Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill. If we don’t do that, they will not – they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,” President Marcos said.
“This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations,” he added.
Duterte was placed in government custody at Villamor Air Base after he, his common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, and members of his entourage arrived at 9:20 am from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific flight No. CX 907.
The plane carrying Duterte later departed Manila en route to The Hague, Netherlands, where he is set to face charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his war on drugs. (PR)
