Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now under the custody of Philippine authorities after the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) was served to him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Malacañang announced.
Malacanang said the Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant against the former president early dawn today.
“Kaninang madaling araw, natanggap ng INTERPOL Manila ang official copy ng warrant of arrest mula sa International Criminal Court,” a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
“Sa ngayon, nasa kustodiya na siya ng mga kinauukulan,” the PCO said.
At 9:20 a.m., Duterte and his companions arrived in Manila from Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific CX 907.
Upon his arrival, the warrant of arrest was served by the Prosecutor General.
“Sa kanyang pagdating, inihain ng Prosecutor General ang ICC notification para sa isang arrest warrant sa dating Pangulo para sa krimen laban sa sangkatauhan,” PCO said.
“Ang dating Pangulo at ang kanyang grupo ay nasa mabuting kalusugan at sinuri ng mga doctor ng gobyerno. Sinigurado na siya ay nasa maayos na kalagayan.”
It further said that the police wore body camera during the serving of the arrest warrant.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte and other individuals for the supposed extrajudicial killings and human rights violations committed during his bloody war on drugs.
During his term, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute that established the ICC. (Betheena Unite)
