The Philippine Senate announced on Monday its decision to formally investigate the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his subsequent transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he faces charges of alleged crimes against humanity. This marks a historic moment, as Duterte, now 79, becomes the first former Asian head of state to be charged by the ICC for his controversial anti-drug campaign that rights groups claim resulted in thousands of deaths.
The investigation was prompted by Senator Imee Marcos, who, despite being the sister of current President Ferdinand Marcos, has maintained a close relationship with Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. The longstanding ties between the Marcos and Duterte families have deteriorated since their coalition in the 2022 election, followed by the impeachment of Imee Marcos’s brother on accusations of plotting an assassination against the president.
“As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I am calling for an urgent investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an issue that has deeply divided the nation,” Imee Marcos stated. She emphasized the need to determine whether due process was upheld and to ensure the protection of Duterte’s legal rights, asserting that national sovereignty and legal integrity must take precedence.
Duterte was apprehended at Manila airport on March 11 following a brief trip to Hong Kong, and he was flown to the Netherlands just hours later, where he was handed over to the ICC. In response, the Senate has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, inviting top police and government officials to provide testimony.
Imee Marcos has taken a largely independent stance on various issues, although she is running for re-election under the current administration’s ticket in the May 12 midterm elections. Following Duterte’s arrest, she expressed concerns about potential unrest, stating that the situation “could only lead to trouble.”
In a related development, a seasoned international lawyer with experience at the ICC, Nicholas Kaufman, has been appointed to join Duterte’s defense team. Kaufman, a British-Israeli national, has previously represented high-profile clients at The Hague, including former Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed Kaufman’s appointment during a press briefing outside the ICC, stating that they had met with him and planned further discussions upon his arrival. In an email to AFP, Kaufman expressed his honor in assisting Duterte, stating he looked forward to addressing what he described as the state-sponsored abduction of the former president.
+ There are no comments
Add yours