403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were
looking for doesn't exist.
Ex-spokesman claims Duterte detention on ICC warrant is ‘kidnapping’
(MENAFN) The detention and extradition of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte violated national laws and amounted to “kidnapping,” his former chief legal counsel and spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, told RT on Friday.
Duterte was arrested at Manila’s international airport and transferred to The Hague, where he is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The former leader faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs from 2016 to 2022.
According to Panelo, the arrest was unlawful as Duterte was taken into custody without a valid warrant and detained at Villamor Air Base before being extradited.
“From our point of view, that was an illegal arrest, an illegal detention—it was kidnapping,” Panelo stated.
He argued that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the case, as the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under Duterte’s leadership. Under Filipino law, any foreign arrest warrant must first be approved by a local court, which was not done in this case, he noted.
Panelo also suggested that Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, could face a similar ICC warrant in the future to prevent her from running in the 2028 presidential election. Her ongoing feud with President Bongbong Marcos recently led to impeachment proceedings against her.
Duterte remains widely popular in the Philippines, with his anti-drug policies credited for drastically reducing crime, Panelo said. He insisted that any legal proceedings should take place in Philippine courts, not under foreign jurisdiction.
Duterte was arrested at Manila’s international airport and transferred to The Hague, where he is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The former leader faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs from 2016 to 2022.
According to Panelo, the arrest was unlawful as Duterte was taken into custody without a valid warrant and detained at Villamor Air Base before being extradited.
“From our point of view, that was an illegal arrest, an illegal detention—it was kidnapping,” Panelo stated.
He argued that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the case, as the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under Duterte’s leadership. Under Filipino law, any foreign arrest warrant must first be approved by a local court, which was not done in this case, he noted.
Panelo also suggested that Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, could face a similar ICC warrant in the future to prevent her from running in the 2028 presidential election. Her ongoing feud with President Bongbong Marcos recently led to impeachment proceedings against her.
Duterte remains widely popular in the Philippines, with his anti-drug policies credited for drastically reducing crime, Panelo said. He insisted that any legal proceedings should take place in Philippine courts, not under foreign jurisdiction.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment