Gov’t ready for ‘any eventuality’ amid rumored ICC warrant for Digong — Palace

Malacañang on Sunday said the government is ready to respond to any development and assured cooperation amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged “crimes against humanity.”

“We’ve heard that, an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity. The government is prepared for any eventuality,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz in a Viber message to reporters. 

In a separate Viber message to reporters, Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said they have not yet confirmed whether an arrest warrant has already been issued for Duterte.

However, she cited previous remarks from Executive Secretary (ES) Lucas Bersamin and Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Crispin Remulla, explaining that the government is legally obligated to cooperate and follow through with the request from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in executing an arrest of a Filipino citizen.

“No confirmation of Issuance of warrant of arrest from the Palace. But as what ES Bersmin and SOJ said before, if Interpol will ask the necessary assistance from the government, it is obliged to follow,” Castro said. 

The Palace press officer said a hold-departure order would be issued if an arrest warrant is sent out.

While Castro confirmed the government's cooperation in Duterte's potential arrest, she pointed out that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has maintained that the ICC no longer holds jurisdiction in the Philippines since the country withdrew from the organization in 2019.

In November last year, Bersamin said that the Philippines would “accord full cooperation” to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if it issues a red notice against Duterte.

“If the ICC refers the process to the Interpol, which may then transmit a red notice to the Philippine authorities, the government will feel obliged to consider the red notice as a request to be honored,” Bersamin said.

Over the weekend, a video circulating on social media showed Duterte at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), sparking online speculation that he was attempting to leave the country, possibly in anticipation of the ICC’s arrest order.

Duterte was reportedly departing Manila via Cathay Pacific flight CX912 from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, bound for Hong Kong.

He reportedly flew from Davao to Manila on Thursday night via Philippine Airlines flight PR 2829.

He stayed for a while at a residence in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) before heading to NAIA Terminal 3 for his flight on Saturday.

Duterte is set to campaign for the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas (PDP) senatorial slate with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong on Sunday.

In a press conference on Sunday, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said they have not yet received information regarding Duterte’s flight abroad.

“‘Di pa po namin ma-verify 'yung matter na yan. So, alamin po namin (We have not yet been able to verify that matter. So, we will look into it),” he told reporters.