Politics

President Marcos, itinangging “political persecution” kay Duterte ang pag-aresto sa kanya

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM by Daniel Joseph Navalta 3 min read

- President Bongbong Marcos held a press conference regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte

- The President denied that arrest was political persecution, stating that the ICC case began in 2017 before his administration

-Marcos explained that the Philippine government allowed the arrest to fulfill its obligations to Interpol and maintain international law enforcement cooperation

- Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and transferred to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign

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In a press conference held last night, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addressed the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, emphasizing that the action was in compliance with international obligations and not a case of political persecution.

Marcos clarified that the arrest stemmed from a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), related to investigations initiated in 2017 concerning alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president. He noted that these investigations began before his administration, underscoring that the legal proceedings were independent of his presidency.

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“So, I don’t see how that can be political persecution on my part because it was initiated before I came into the picture,” he said.

The arrest occurred at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon Duterte’s return from Hong Kong. He was subsequently transferred to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.

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Marcos reiterated that adhering to Interpol’s request was essential to maintain the Philippines’ standing in the international community and to ensure continued cooperation in future law enforcement matters. He dismissed allegations of political motivation behind the arrest, emphasizing that the government was fulfilling its legal obligations.

“Interpol asked for help, and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill,” Marcos stated. “If we don’t do that, they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad.”

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The arrest has elicited varied reactions domestically and internationally. Human rights organizations have hailed it as a significant step toward accountability, while Duterte’s supporters have criticized it as an infringement on national sovereignty.

Marcos concluded by affirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and international agreements, stating that such actions are vital for the country’s integrity and its relations with global institutions.

Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines. He left Malacañang on June 30. The newly inaugurated President of the Philippines is Bongbong Marcos who got 31 million votes in the May 2022 elections. The new Vice President of the Philippines is VP Sara Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Previously, Former President Duterte received some supportive messages from Senator Bong Go during their recent phone conversation. According to a video from the Office of Senator Bong Go, which was posted on GMA News’ social media page, Go was able to speak with Duterte on the phone while the senator was on his way to Villamor Air Base from NAIA Terminal 3.