Palace: No political considerations in sending Duterte to ICC
Philippine News Agency
By Filane Mikee Cervantes
March 14, 2025, 2:59 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine government's decision to assist the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would have been the same, regardless if there was no fallout between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, Malacañang said on Friday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippines' cooperation with Interpol was a matter of fulfilling international obligations, not political considerations.
"Meron pang UniTeam, walang UniTeam, it will be the same. Hindi po tayo pwede magkaroon ng special treatment dahil lang may friendship (Whether there is still a UniTeam or not, it will be the same. We cannot have special treatment just because of friendship)," Castro told reporters.
"Of course, we will just abide by the law. 'Yun po. Kung ano po ang naging kasunduan with the Interpol. Kahit sino po 'yan (That's it. Whatever the agreement with Interpol is, that's what we will follow. Whoever it is)," she added.
Same treatment
Castro said the government would provide the same level of assistance to Interpol if a similar warrant were issued against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, the former national police chief who oversaw Duterte's war on drugs.
"Pareho parin po. Hindi po kasi tayo pwedeng mamili. Kung ito po ay ginawa po at nakipag-coordinate at nakipagtulungan tayo sa Interpol dahil ang dating pangulo po (Duterte) ang naging subject ng warrant of arrest, hindi po tayo pwedeng mamili. Wala pong pwedeng special treatment. So kung mangyayari po ito sa iba pang mga suspect na may warrant of arrest, basta valid po 'yung warrant of arrest at ito po ay na-course through the Interpol, gagawin parin po natin kung ano ang dapat gawin ng gobyerno (It would be the same. We cannot choose. If we coordinated with Interpol because the former president was the subject of an arrest warrant, we cannot pick and choose. There can be no special treatment. If this happens to other suspects with valid arrest warrants processed through Interpol, the government will follow the same procedure), Castro said.
Castro said President Marcos and the government must uphold the law and protect the country's interests.
"Mas dapat po ang Pangulo, ang gobyerno ay hindi nagbe-betray sa batas. Hindi siya nagbe-betray kung ano ang interes ng bansa. Hindi siya dapat nagbebetray sa mga taong diumano naging biktima ng EJK [extrajudicial killings] (The President and the government must not betray the law. They must not betray the country's interests. They must not betray those who were allegedly victims of EJKs)," she said.
Castro argued that accountability should apply to everyone, regardless of political ties or personal relationships.
"Hindi po pwede na dahil lang po naging kakilala, nakasama po, kung kailangan managot dapat managot (Just because someone is an acquaintance or an ally doesn't mean they are exempt from accountability)," she said.
If Duterte and his allies believe they are innocent, Castro said they should have no problem defending themselves before the ICC.
"Sabi naman po nila sila naman po ay walang kasalanan, hindi po ba't napakabilis nilang madedepensahan ang kanilang sarili (If they truly have nothing to hide, they should be able to defend themselves easily)," she said.
President Marcos on Tuesday said Duterte's arrest was in line with the Philippines' commitment to the Interpol.
Interpol Manila received an official copy of the ICC warrant, which was served by the Prosecutor General of the Department of Justice and implemented by the Philippine National Police upon Duterte's return from a gathering with overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong. (PNA)
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