DOJ on Duterte turnover to ICC: We did what’s good for the country
Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla (File photo / SENATE PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines – “What is good for our country is what we did,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said when asked about the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ recommendation that the Office of the Ombudsman investigate government officials who helped facilitate the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte last March.
Aside from Remulla, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations recommended an investigation on Remulla’s brother, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Nicolas Torre III and Ambassador Markus Lacanilao.
Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the committee, said the officials could be liable for grave misconduct, graft, usurpation of judicial functions and arbitrary detention for allowing the implementation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Duterte.
The DOJ Secretary said an investigation would be most welcome.
“This is a welcome development. Hindi naman tayo natatakot jan,” Remulla told reporters.
(This is a welcome development. We are not afraid of [an investigation]).
Remulla said they did what they believed was best and are willing to appear and cooperate with the Ombudsman.
Duterte was arrested immediately upon his arrival from Hong Kong last March 11 and taken to the Netherlands.
On March 14, he appeared via video conferencing before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.
READ: Duterte attends ICC pre-trial hearing via video link
Supporters of the former president insist that the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines following its membership withdrawal.
However, the Philippines has a commitment to the International Police (Interpol) that coordinated with the Philippine government regarding the ICC arrest warrant.
