The Remulla brothers, along with three other top government officials, have been ordered by the Ombudsman to respond to the criminal and administrative complaints filed by Senator Imee Marcos over the alleged unlawful arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This comes after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, led by Marcos, submitted its findings earlier this week on the Philippine government’s handover of Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial drug war.
On Friday, Marcos submitted a copy of the committee’s report to the Ombudsman, recommending charges against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, his brother Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and Special Envoy for Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao.
The recommended criminal charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Arbitrary Detention, Usurpation of Judicial Functions, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Public Service. The Ombudsman has given the officials 10 days to file their counter-affidavits.
Marcos, an ally of the Duterte family, said the actions of these officials amounted to serious criminal and administrative offenses.
The investigation concluded after three hearings, where Marcos accused some Senate members of attempting to block the inquiry, prompting her to seek the Ombudsman’s intervention.
“The Ombudsman is impartial and not afraid to hold anyone accountable,” she said.
The senator believes the officials were working together to carry out Duterte’s arrest under the ICC’s orders, but the officials involved have denied any wrongdoing. They argued that the arrest was legal and carried out according to the law and regulations, within the scope of their official duties.
The 80-year-old Duterte has been in ICC custody in The Hague since his arrest in Manila on 11 March. He faces charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings of at least 43 people between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 during his terms as Davao City mayor and president.
Government figures showed over 6,000 drug-related deaths during Duterte’s administration, while human rights groups estimated the toll at 30,000.