Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has filed criminal and administrative complaints against several top officials of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration over the March arrest of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a 160-page affidavit submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, Duterte accused Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and other Marcos administration officials of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, grave misconduct, and multiple violations linked to the former president’s arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The complaint also listed former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, former CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and other police and justice officials as respondents.
According to the filing, nine criminal offenses were cited, including kidnapping, arbitrary detention, qualified direct assault, expulsion, and usurpation of judicial functions. Administrative charges for grave misconduct were also included.
“We recited the reasons why we filed the cases and we likewise cited the reasons why they could not interpose regularity of performance of duty doon po sa ating complaint,” said Atty. Israelito Torreon, counsel for Duterte.
Malacañang, however, had earlier defended the government’s cooperation with Interpol on the ICC case. Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro stressed the move was a matter of state obligation.
“This is not just surrendering a Filipino citizen, this is surrendering a Filipino citizen who is accused of crimes against humanity, specifically murder,” Castro said.