Govt arrested Duterte based on Interpol diffusion, not Red Notice

The Philippine government confirmed on Thursday during a Senate hearing that it acted based on an Interpol diffusion rather than a Red Notice when arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte.

PCTC Executive Director Anthony Alcantara and Senator Imee Marcos clarified that the diffusion is equivalent to but distinct from a red notice, as diffusions are unverified requests for information and do not go through Interpol's commissioner or get posted on their website.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla explained during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations inquiry that due to time constraints, a Red Notice might have been issued under normal circumstances.

Families of Duterte's drug war victims argue that seeking accountability through local courts has become impossible due to alleged intimidation and harassment.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 during Duterte’s term after the International Criminal Court began investigating him for crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.