PNP maintains heightened alert after Digong’s ICC arrest
GATE 5 of Villamor Air Base in Pasay City is guarded tightly by police civil disturbance units to prevent supporters of the arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte from interfering with his scheduled flight to The Hague as ordered by the International Criminal Court to face alleged crimes against humanity in relation to his war on drugs.
Photograph by toto lozano for the daily tribune
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to lift its heightened alert status, which was raised during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on 11 March.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PNP assured that “the overall peace and order situation across the country remains generally peaceful” following Duterte’s departure for The Hague, Netherlands.
Duterte is facing charges of “crimes against humanity” before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As of 5 PM on Tuesday, the PNP implemented a nationwide heightened alert status as the country witnessed developments in Duterte’s ICC arrest. The PNP emphasized that this move was “part of standard security measures.”
“Police personnel have been deployed in key areas to support public safety efforts and ensure order. PNP units remain ready to assist as needed and respond to any developments,” the statement read.
A chartered jet carrying Duterte, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, his nurse, and a security team departed the country at 11:03 PM.
Duterte’s departure followed an arrest warrant issued by the ICC on 7 March. He was taken into custody at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before being brought to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for procedural processing.
Meanwhile, pro-Duterte vloggers and supporters gathered outside Gate 5 of Villamor Airbase in a show of solidarity.