Sen Imee Marcos calls for Senate probe into Duterte’s ICC transfer

Senator Imee Marcos has called for an urgent Senate probe into the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was launched on Thursday.

She emphasizes the need to uphold sovereignty and legal processes, initiating a hearing that will examine whether due process was followed during his apprehension at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11.

Key officials from law enforcement, justice, foreign affairs, national security, and aviation agencies are expected to attend the hearing, including Justice Secretary Jesus Crisipin Remulla, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, and PNP Chief Rommel Marbil.

During his first court appearance on March 14 (Philippine time), the ICC formally presented charges to Duterte, accusing him of being an indirect co-perpetrator in killings by the Davao Death Squad between 2011 and 2019.

Duterte is currently in ICC's custody in The Hague after Philippine authorities served the warrant of arrest issued by the international tribunal based on reasonable grounds to believe he was individually responsible for crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.