Duterte detained at ICC, Remulla defends

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague following his voluntary surrender on March 11 to face 43 cases of alleged 'crimes against humanity' related to extrajudicial killings during his administration's drug war.

The Philippine government facilitated Duterte’s transfer via Interpol, despite withdrawing from the Rome Statute in 2018; however, ongoing cases predating the withdrawal remain within the ICC's purview.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla defended the government's actions as a legal 'executive action' and asserted that the cases are now 'extra-territorial,' while acknowledging ongoing investigations into other alleged EJK cases.

Remulla dismissed claims of 'kidnapping,' emphasizing that Duterte’s surrender was facilitated by Interpol, with Duterte currently staying in the medical center inside the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen awaiting further proceedings.

The legality of the actions is being questioned before the Supreme Court and a Senate inquiry into the ICC-Interpol activities has been called for by Senator Imee Marcos.