Sen. Imee Marcos. FILE 

MANILA, Philippines – Defying little brother? 

Sen. Imee Marcos skipped administration sortie in Tacloban on Friday (March 14) because she could not accept the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a seizure allowed by the Philippine government upon the effect of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

In a social media post, the eldest sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said she was totally against the seizure of the former president. 

“Nagpapaumanhin ako sa mga kababayan kong waray na hindi ako makakadalo sa rally mamaya sa Tacloban,” she said. 

“HINDI KO MATANGGAP ANG GINAWA KAY FPRRD,” she said. 

“Pinag-aaralan ko ang mga pangyayari upang maliwanagan ang sambayanan, makabuo ng makatotohanang solusyon patungkol sa pagtangay sa dating pangulo,” she said. 

Apart from the Duterte camp, all eyes are also set on the president for surrendering the former state chief to foreign jurisdiction. 

The president already explained that the arrest last Tuesday was coordinated not with the ICC but with the International Police Criminal Organization (Interpol) with whom the Philippines has a commitment to, reiterating that there was never any cooperation with the ICC regarding the arrest. 

The President reasoned that the government was bound to cooperate with the Interpol because their assistance on future requests such as extradition of Filipino fugitives abroad would be at risk. 

Duterte is now detained at ICC Detention Centre in Schevenigen, The Hague where he will be held for the duration of his trial. He is set for an initial appearance on Friday, 14 March 2025, at 14:00 hours (The Hague local time), before Pre-Trial Chamber. 

The former president was arrested over allegations of crimes against humanity over the killings and supposed abuses of his administration during his war on drugs.