Palace: PH merely fulfilling int'l obligations in Duterte arrest

Malacañang confirmed that the Philippine government cooperated with Interpol's request to arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro clarified that assisting in the arrest was a fulfillment of the government's international obligations and compliance with Republic Act 9851.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. stated that the government is "merely fulfilling" its duties and obligations to the international community and that there is "nothing personal" in the action.

Castro emphasized that the Philippines' cooperation with Interpol was a matter of fulfilling international obligations, not political considerations, and that the decision would have been the same regardless of the relationship between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Office of the President covered the cost of the chartered flight that transported Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands, where he is set to face charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Malacañang denied allegations of betrayal, asserting that the administration is merely enforcing its own laws by cooperating with Interpol.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa argued that the Philippine government could have "rejected outright" the Interpol Notice.