Kinumpirma ng Malacañang na umalis na ng bansa si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte matapos siyang arestuhin alinsunod sa isang warrant mula sa International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The plane carrying former President Duterte took off at 11:03 p.m. this evening and exited Philippine airspace,” ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa isang press briefing sa Malacañang kagabi.
“The plane is en route to The Hague in the Netherlands allowing the former president to face charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs.”
Binigyang-diin ni Marcos na ang pag-aresto kay Duterte ay bahagi ng mga internasyunal na kasunduan ng Pilipinas.
“Mr. Duterte was arrested in compliance with our commitments to Interpol,” aniya. “Hours before his arrival, Interpol Manila received an official copy of the ICC warrant.”
Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, “Interpol asked for help and we complied because we have commitments to them which we have to fulfill.”
Ipinunto rin ni Marcos ang kahalagahan ng pakikipagtulungan sa Interpol. “If we don’t do that, they will not help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives. This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country.”
Tiniyak ni Pangulong Marcos na sinunod ng gobyerno ang lahat ng kinakailangang legal na hakbang sa pag-aresto kay Duterte.
“We follow every single necessary procedure,” aniya. “There is a very clear document that explains the basis of how we conduct this.”
Nang tanungin kung may bahid ng pulitika ang pag-aresto, mariing itinanggi ito ng Pangulo.
“No. This case started in 2017 when members of the government at that time initiated it. So, I don’t see how that can be politically motivated. It was initiated before I even came into the picture,” paliwanag niya.
Ayon sa Malacañang, hindi maaaring balewalain ng Pilipinas ang mga obligasyon nito sa Interpol. “When Interpol calls for assistance, we respond. Just as we expect other countries to help us when we need it, we must also fulfill our responsibilities as part of the global community.”
Nilinaw din ng Palasyo na hindi ito isang usaping pampulitika kundi bahagi ng normal na proseso ng pagpapatupad ng batas. “Again, the government is just doing its job. We are a member of the international community, and we must live up to our responsibilities. That is what’s happening here.”
Si Duterte ay iniuugnay sa libu-libong nasawi sa kanyang kontrobersyal na kampanya laban sa droga, kung saan tinatayang nasa 30,000 katao ang napatay.
Noong 2019, pormal na umatras ang Pilipinas mula sa Rome Statute, ang kasunduang lumikha sa ICC. Gayunpaman, iginigiit ng ICC na may hurisdiksyon pa rin ito sa mga kasong may kinalaman sa war on drugs bago ang pagkalas ng bansa.
Sa kasalukuyan, nakatakdang iharap si Duterte sa ICC sa The Hague upang harapin ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanya.
