The Philippine government will not abandon former President Rodrigo Duterte as he faces arrest and extradition through Interpol, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the government will uphold the rights of every Filipino citizen, particularly Duterte as a former Chief Executive.
She cited Republic Act 9851, the "Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity," which guarantees due process for individuals accused of grave crimes under international law.
According to Chapter I, Section II (f), the State "shall guarantee persons suspected or accused of having committed grave crimes under international law all rights necessary to ensure that their trial will be fair and prompt in strict accordance with national and international law and standards for fair trial."
“It shall also protect victims, witnesses and their families, and provide appropriate redress to victims and their families, It shall ensure that the legal systems in place provide accessible and gender-sensitive avenues of redress for victims of armed conflict,” the law states.
Castro affirmed that the Philippine government would continue to assert Duterte’s rights even if he stands trial in The Hague.
“Our government will not abandon him, especially when it comes to his rights. Anyone, even if they are not former presidents, as long as they are Filipinos — they can count on help from our government,” she said.
On Tuesday, Duterte was arrested through Interpol to face charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s controversial war on drugs. He left the country the same day for the Netherlands.