FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has stated that no directives have been issued to the Philippine Embassy in The Hague regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.
Manalo explained that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Justice (DOJ) are handling the matter. He added that the DFA has no further dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under the Duterte administration.
Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong and taken to Villamor Airbase for a medical examination. It remains unclear whether he will be immediately transported to the ICC headquarters in The Hague.
The ICC investigation covers alleged crimes against humanity related to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign from November 2011 to March 2019, prior to the Philippines’ official withdrawal from the ICC.
metrosundaily
