DOJ reiterates PH is still a member of Interpol

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reiterated Wednesday that the Philippines remains as a member of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) despite its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The DOJ issued this following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity based on a warrant issued by the tribunal.

“Inteprol has played a crucial role in many cases pursued by the DOJ involving subjects who have fled the country in attempts to evade accountability,” it said in a statement.

“It is through Interpol that we are able to solve crime on a global scale – a trend that the Philippines has fallen victim to in many ways. Thus, cooperation with Interpol is imperative,” it added.

Malacañang has also said that it is the prerogative of the Philippine government to comply with its commitments with the Interpol.

Meanwhile, the DOJ said that authorities adhered to domestic and international legal procedures.

“The execution of the ICC warrant of arrest, which was received by the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) from INTERPOL, followed established protocols to ensure due process and the protection of the former President’s rights,” it said.

Aside from this, the DOJ cited Section 17 of Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, which states that the country may surrender suspected or accused individuals to the appropriate international court.

The DOJ also said the arrest was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“There were no incidents of resistance or disorder during the process, demonstrating the professionalism of our law enforcement agencies and the commitment to upholding due process,” the DOJ said.

“The former President was treated in accordance with the law, and all procedural safeguards were observed to protect his rights,” it added.

Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday evening.

The former president’s children have filed separate petitions with the Supreme Court seeking his return, arguing that he should not have been arrested based on an ICC arrest warrant. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News