PH has legal, diplomatic duty to cooperate in Duterte’s arrest for ICC —solon

The Philippines has a legal and diplomatic obligation to cooperate in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte amid the alleged issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Manila Rep. Joel Chua said Monday. 

Chua, chairperson of the House committee on good government and public accountability, was reacting to the statement of Presidential Communications Office Sec. Jay Ruiz that the government is “prepared for any eventuality” amid reports that the ICC has already issued an arrest warrant against the former president.

“Kung totoo nga po na meron, meron po kasi tayong legal and diplomatic obligation na dapat po nating sundin. Kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, bagamat hindi tayo, winithdraw na natin ang ating membership sa ICC pero tayo po ay parte pa rin ng Interpol,” Chua said in a press conference, referring to the International Criminal Police Organization. 

(If the arrest warrant is confirmed, we have a legal and diplomatic obligation to follow it. If I am not mistaken, although we already withdraw our membership in the ICC, we are still part of the Interpol.)

He cited the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo where the Philippines had requested help from the Interpol. 

“Hindi naman po maganda na tayo ay tataliwas dito. Dahil kung tayo po’y nangangailangan, sila naman ay ina-accommodate tayo kasi miyembro po tayo nito,” he added. 

(It is not good if we will not cooperate with them because when we were the one in need, they accommodated us because we are a member of the Interpol.)

GMA News Online sought the comment of former President Duterte through his former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, but he has yet to respond on the query. 

Meanwhile, Chua said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte might be delayed if the reported ICC arrest warrant will include her.

“Kung kasama siya doon sa warrant,  kasi siyempre pag ito 'yung na implement nila, dadalhin sila sa Hague, kung hindi po ako magkakamali, eh medyo maantala po 'to,” Chua, one of the prosecutors assigned in the impeachment trial of the Vice President, said. 

(If she is among the subjects in the warrant of arrest and once they implement that, the arrested persons will be brought to The Hague if I am mistaken. If so, then the impeachment trial will be delayed.)

“Magkakaroon po talaga ng pagka-delay or magkakaron tayo ng medyo problema dito sa impeachment,” he added. 

(There will be some delays and problems here in the impeachment trial.)

Earlier in the day, Malacañang said it has not received any information regarding the alleged Interpol Red Notice against the former president.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor has refused to comment on the alleged warrant of arrest against the former Philippine leader.

Duterte had maintained that his actions as president were aimed at ensuring peace and order in the country. —AOL, GMA Integrated News