PNP ready to cooperate in Senate probe into Duterte arrest

The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed openness Monday to cooperate in the Senate investigation into the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

"Yung proseso po ng pag-aresto po ay hinahayaan na po natin sa korte po pag-usapan. Ang sinasabi nga natin ang PNP po ay nananatiling support role lang po sa [Philippine Center in Transnational Crime],” PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño said at a press briefing.

(We are leaving the arrest process to the court to discuss. What we are saying is that the PNP remains a support role to the Philippine Center in Transnational Crime.)

“Handa po ang PNP na makipag-cooperate sa lahat ng imbestigasyon (The PNP is ready to cooperate with all investigations),” he added.

The PNP on March 11 assisted the Interpol in serving a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

Presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos is set to hold a probe into the arrest of Duterte on March 20.

“As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I am calling for an urgent investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an issue that has deeply divided the nation,” Marcos earlier said in a statement.

“It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not only upheld but protected, especially given the involvement of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the International Criminal Court,” she added.

After his arrest, Duterte was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands.

On March 13 (Philippine time), Duterte entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.

On March 14 (Philippine time), Duterte faced via video link the ICC for the first time.

The court read to Duterte the charges against him related to the killings under his administration's war on drugs. He was also informed of his rights under the Rome Statute.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for September 23, 2025. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News