Former president Rodrigo Duterte headed to Hong Kong over the weekend for what his camp said was to address the overseas Filipino workers’(OFWs) community but which critics said was a last-ditch attempt to avoid receiving a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Without confirming or denying the reports – the Duterte camp referred to them as unfounded rumors – Malacañang said the Marcos government was ready if Interpol moves to arrest the former president.
Reliable sources said either ICC or Interpol will announce at the start of this week the issuance of the warrant.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) acting secretary said, “We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the ICC…for crimes against humanity. The government is prepared for any eventuality.”
PCO undersecretary Claire Castro reiterated the standing position of the presidential palace as well as the Department of Justice that the Philippine government was “obliged to follow” should Interpol request assistance from the government.
While the former president withdrew the Philippines’ membership in the ICC, the Court continued its investigation since it was for alleged crimes against humanity committed while Duterte was still mayor of Davao City, continuing during his presidency.
The Duterte administration is said to have killed some 6,000 mainly young men suspected of being drug pushers or users. Human rights groups, however, say that as many as 30,000 were killed in the name of Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.
Speaking at the event, Duterte said: “I heard that there’s a warrant for me. That’s not true. The ICC…has been after me for a long time. What crime did I commit? I only did my best to bring peace and order to the country.”
In further downplaying the allegations, the former president told the OFWs: “Let’s say what you heard is true. Why do you think I did it? For myself? For my family? No. I did it for you and your children. If this is my fate, then so be it. But if I am imprisoned, chip in a few dollars so that when I get out you can build a monument of me next to (national hero Jose) Rizal.”
It can be noted that when Duterte attended a Congressional hearing on the mass killings during his administration, he absolved all his officials of guilt, saying that he would take “full responsibility” for all his supposed crimes but would never apologize for his actions.
He has also said in previous occasions that he expects the ICC or Interpol to arrest and incarcerate him.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s former spokesperson, lawyer Harry Roque, said in his Facebook page that while reports of an arrest warrant had recently emerged, it was not from the ICC.
The arrest warrant was for inciting to sedition, filed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre. The case stemmed from the ex-president’s remarks urging violence against members of the Senate.
Roque insisted that Duterte was not escaping his legal troubles.
Roque has also been hiding out in Hong Kong after the Senate issued a warrant for his arrest for refusing to show documents explaining his wealth.
The Hong Kong event was billed as “Pasasalamat kay PRRD” and was held at the Southorn Stadium, drawing thousands of OFWs, with hundreds unable to enter the venue due to a larger-than-expected crowd.
The event was organized as a political sortie for the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, headed by the former president. There was also a contingent from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, whose leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was Duterte’s biggest supporter and who is presently incarcerated in a Pasig City jail for sex and human trafficking raps. He is also wanted by the FBI in the US for a variety of cases including money laundering and fraud.
