Imee Marcos criticizes govt for surrendering Duterte to ICC

Senator and Presidential sister Imee Marcos criticized the Philippine government for surrendering former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday during a Senate hearing.

Marcos presented video footage from when Duterte was served an arrest warrant upon his return from Hong Kong to the Philippines until he was flown to the Netherlands, questioning why the country would hand over one of its own citizens and comparing it to abandoning family members in distress.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that international humanitarian law compelled the government's action, while Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and other top officials were present at the hearing.

Remulla reiterated that as a non-member state of the ICC, the Philippines did not cooperate with the court but only provided assistance through Interpol when surrendering an individual to the ICC.

Imee Marcos questioned the implications for treaties ratified by the Senate if the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over Filipinos despite the country's withdrawal from the court, while Remulla acknowledged a shift in stance on Duterte’s arrest.