Lacson: Gov't must extend support to Duterte during ICC trial

The Philippine government must extend support to former President Rodrigo Duterte as he is set to face trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC), former Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

“More than being a former president of our country, FPRRD is a Filipino who will face trial in an international court. Our government must not lose sight of its obligation, as a matter of policy, to extend support to ALL Filipinos, as we consistently do, even to those already convicted and facing executions beyond our jurisdiction,” Lacson said in a post on X.

The administration senatorial candidate issued the statement a day after Philippine authorities arrested Duterte, who is now en route to the Netherlands to face the charges of crimes against humanity.

Lacson was the second senatorial candidate from the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate to issue a comment on Duterte’s arrest.

On Tuesday, administration-backed reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos expressed pity for the former president over his arrest.

In a press briefing late Tuesday night, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Interpol Manila received an official copy of the International Criminal Court warrant hours before Duterte's arrival from Hong Kong, adding that the arrest was proper and correct.

The President said that the arrest was done “because Interpol asked us to do it and we have commitments.”

Marcos also denied that the arrest of Duterte was a violation of Philippine sovereignty.

In April 2024, Marcos said the government will not serve any arrest warrant against his predecessor from the ICC as it has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The plane carrying Duterte arrived in Dubai at around 8:03 a.m. (Manila time) for a layover. It left the Philippines on Tuesday at 11:03 p.m. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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