Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday recommended the filing of charges against several top government officials involved in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator Marcos, who led the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ investigation into the arrest of the former president, urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, his brother Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

Citing additional findings by the Senate panel she chairs, Marcos said Justice Secretary Remulla may be liable for violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for allegedly authorizing or initiating what she described as the invalid administrative arrest of former President Duterte.

Duterte is facing a charge of crimes against humanity over his bloody war on drugs.

She noted that this was “in contravention with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Board of Commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration and the Jail Warden, Bureau of Immigration Detention Center vs Yuan Wenle.”

Sought for his reaction, Remulla dismissed the allegation.

“I don’t even know if that’s a real committee report. We’re not afraid of it,” he said.

Remulla defended the actions of the Department of Justice, saying they acted in the country’s best interest. He also said he would cooperate with any investigation by the Ombudsman.

Other possible charges against Justice Secretary Remulla include usurpation of judicial functions, and grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

Jonvic Remulla, Marbil, Torre may also face raps

Senator Marcos also recommended the filing of charges against Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla for arbitrary detention and the Anti-Graft, and Corrupt Practices Act for inducing or persuading General Torre and General Marbil to perform an act in violation of law, rules and regulations or an offense in connection with the latter’s official duties.

Senator Marcos further asserted that Remulla could be held accountable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

She also recommended that similar charges be pursued against PNP Chief Marbil, underscoring what she described as his serious lapses in judgment and abuse of authority.

As for Torre, who arrested Duterte, Senator Marcos recommended the filing of at least four cases for arbitrary detention and violation of Republic Act 7438 for not allowing Vice President Sara Duterte to see her father and for forcing his lawyers to leave him.

Other charges against Torre include violation of Republic Act 3019 for allowing himself to be induced or persuaded by General Marbil and/or Interior Secretary Remulla to perform an act in violation of law, rules and regulations or an offense in connection with his official duties, and grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

Also named in the report was Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Markus Lacanilao who may face charges for usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, false testimony and perjury.

Senate probe continuing

Senator Marcos said the investigation is ongoing as several key questions remain unanswered — including which government officials may have assisted the International Criminal Court, and the details surrounding the aircraft used to transport former President Duterte to The Hague in the Netherlands.

Duterte is facing a charge of crimes against humanity over his bloody war on drugs which claimed between 6,000 and 30,000 victims during his terms as mayor of Davao City and president of the Philippines from 2011 to 2019.