Sen Imee Marcos probes Duterte arrest and ICC transfer

Senator Imee Marcos is leading a Senate foreign relations committee hearing on March 20 into the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte concerning alleged crimes against humanity.

Officials from various government agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation-Office for Transport Security, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, are expected to attend the probe.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has green-lit cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which led to Duterte's arrest and subsequent transfer to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) formally presented charges to former President Rodrigo Duterte during his first court appearance on March 14 (Philippine time).

He was informed that he stands accused as an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the killing of 19 alleged "drug pushers or thieves" by the Davao Death Squad between 2011 and 2016, and 24 other alleged criminals between 2016 and 2019 when he was president.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

The probe aims to clarify the involvement and roles of the ICC and Interpol, as well as various government agencies in Duterte's arrest.

It also seeks to determine if due process was followed and ensure that Duterte's legal rights were upheld and protected.

Senator Marcos stated that Duterte's arrest is an issue that has deeply divided the nation.