Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Thursday underscored that the military had nothing to do with the execution of the arrest of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“The Department of National Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has no law enforcement mandate. Our sole mandate is to give support to the Philippine National Police when it is asked for. And therefore, such ends our jurisdiction,” Teodoro said during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ motu proprio hearing on the involvement and the roles of the ICC, the International Criminal Police Organization, and various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

At the hearing, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte questioned the involvement of the military in the transfer of the former President to The Hague, Netherlands.

“Gusto kong sumagot ang Armed Forces of the Philippines kung bakit nila pinayagan na mangyari ito (I want the Armed Forces of the Philippines to answer why they allowed this to happen) because the Presidential Security Command is in-charge of the security of former Presidents. 

“So bakit nila hinayaan na mangyari ito sa dating Pangulo ng ating bayan (So why did they allow this to happen to the former President of our country?),” she asked. 

In response, Teodoro stressed that former President Duterte’s arrest was purely a law enforcement operation.

“The operation is clearly a law enforcement one, and the Philippine National Police has the power to ask the armed forces to assist. And that is the extent of the participation of my Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And all other matters in supporting the Philippine National Police are governed by operational security,” he said. 

“And that is the extent of the participation of my Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And all other matters in supporting the Philippine National Police are governed by operational security,” Teodoro added. 

Teodoro explained that the military was simply “deputized to support the Philippine National Police (PNP).”

He maintained, “It is part of the constitutional duty of the armed forces to follow processes.”

“And if we were to question those orders, even under color of law, under color of right, then it would amount to the armed forces acting unilaterally on its own, which is anathema to civilian authority over the military,” Teodoro said. 

“As we said, our jurisdiction ends in providing support to the Philippine National Police. And with respect to the Presidential Security Command, that is a highly secure unit and operational security is strictly followed,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Committee chairperson Senator Imee Marcos pressed the military for further answers.

“Yes, nakakapagtaka lang kasi facility ninyo ang Villamor. Ang inimbita namin, yung Philippine Air Force. Wala po dito. Bakit? (Yes, it’s just puzzling because the facility is yours, Villamor. The one we invited was the Philippine Air Force. They’re not here. Why?),” she asked. 

In response, Teodoro said, “Your honor, because of the fact that we will not go into operational details.”

“And I made the call that the Armed Forces will answer in light of our supporting role, and not principal role, to the Philippine National Police,” he added.