(From left) NP-CIDG chief Major General Nicolas Torre III, Justice Secretary “Boying” Remulla,  Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Special Envoy for Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao, PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered five high-ranking government officials involved in the arrest and surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. 

Based on the two-page document the officials summoned were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, PNP-CIDG chief Major General Nicolas Torre III, PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Special Envoy for Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao.

The order was issued following the committee report filed by Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the foreign relations committee recommending the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the five for the supposed illegal arrest tantamount to “kidnapping” of the former president. 

The officials are given ten days to respond to the affidavit together with the affidavit of their witness/es and other supporting documents within three days from receipt of the order. 

Failure to file counter-affidavit shall be deemed as a waiver of their right to submit counter evidence and preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly. 

Marcos has released two committee reports. 

The first one had three findings that said the Philippines has no legal obligation to the ICC, the government assisted in the arrest and a conclusion of supposed glaring violation of the Constitution. 

The second one said there was a government cover-up of the accountability of the officials involved in the arrest. 

VP Sara: BBM should be held accountable too

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte wants President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be held accountable too for allowing a foreign tribunal to interfere in Philippine legal affairs. 

“Dapat talaga managot ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas because he allowed foreign entity, foreign organization to interfere with our national sovereignty,” the Vice President said in Zamboanga City on Sunday.

As of writing, the five officials have yet to release statements. 

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague pending trial for charges of crimes against humanity.