PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed claims that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest was politically motivated, emphasizing that the government simply followed protocol set by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Duterte faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Marcos responded to accusations that Duterte’s apprehension was an act of political persecution tied to the 2028 elections.
“Well, I’m sure they will say that,” Marcos said with a laugh.
He noted that the case against Duterte began in 2017, while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC and Duterte was in power.