President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied allegations that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte was unlawful, asserting that authorities followed proper legal procedures.
During a late press conference at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, Marcos emphasized that law enforcement officials adhered to due process in carrying out the operation.
“Well, we followed every single necessary procedure — the very good basis on which to serve that warrant and to read him his rights,” Marcos stated.
“We followed all the legal procedures that are necessary. So, I’m confident that, upon further examination, you will find that it was proper and correct,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Duterte’s daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, shared updates on her father’s condition while he was detained at Villamor Air Base.
A series of social media posts included a photo of the former President resting with an oxygen mask. She claimed that authorities were denying him proper medical care.
Senator Bong Go arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in an ambulance intended to transport Duterte to a hospital for treatment. However, he was barred from entering both the airport and Villamor Air Base.
Duterte’s partner, Honeylet Avanceña, and their daughter, Kitty, were in Hong Kong at the time of the former president’s overseas trip. Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was also with them throughout the day.
On Tuesday evening, Duterte departed for The Hague, where he is set to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.