Escudero: Duterte's ICC arrest upholds sovereignty, not violation

Senate President Francis Escudero stated on Wednesday, March 26, that arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte for transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) did not violate Philippine sovereignty.

Escudero emphasized at a media forum and in an interview that Filipinos initiated and executed legal actions against Duterte without foreign interference, noting that Duterte has no pending cases in the Philippines.

He challenged the Duterte clan's inconsistent stance on the Rome Statute and ICC jurisdiction, pointing out their contradictory use for political purposes.

Vice President Sara Duterte criticized her father’s arrest as an affront to sovereignty and an insult to Filipino independence.

Escudero cited the case of former Negros Oriental representative Arnie Teves who has a pending case in the Philippines but is being extradited from Timor Leste, stressing that Duterte lacks such a domestic case.

Former President Duterte was arrested by the ICC on March 11 and flown to The Hague, Netherlands for hearings related to crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s drug war.

Escudero noted that Republic Act 9851 remains a valid law if there are no pending cases against an individual in local courts.