Estrada criticizes Torre over Duterte arrest, cites rights violation

Senator Jinggoy Estrada criticized CIDG Director P/MGen Nicolas Torre III for his handling of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, comparing it to the 2001 arrest of him and his father.

Torre maintained he handled the arrest properly but acknowledged saying 'hihilahin ko yan' (I will drag him), referring to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during a heated argument.

Estrada also questioned why Torre did not allow Vice President Sara Duterte to see her father, arguing it was a violation of Republic Act 7438 defining the rights of persons arrested or detained.

Department of Justice Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed that Interpol had requested the arrest and that Philippine authorities acted on this request despite previous statements from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about non-recognition of the ICC's jurisdiction over Duterte.

Government records indicate at least 6,200 drug suspects were killed in police operations during Duterte's term, though human rights groups claim the number could be as high as 30,000 due to unreported related killings.