PNP says Marbil, Torre ready to face possible raps over Duterte arrest
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil. Inquirer file photo. Niño Jesus Orbeta.
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III are “prepared to answer” possible cases related to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said this in a briefing on Wednesday.
This came after Senate foreign affairs committee chairperson Sen. Imee Marcos called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Marbil, Torre, and three other government officials for alleged violations during Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“[Chief PNP and General Torre] are prepared to answer any and all charges before any proper forum,” Fajardo said. “They believe they acted within the bounds of law and the mandate of their office.”
But, she clarified in mixed Filipino and English: “We have to reiterate that the PNP’s role in the arrest of former President Duterte was only that we just extended assistance to the PCTC (Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes) requested that they be helped in implementing the red notice issued against the former president.”
READ: Sen. Marcos wants 5 gov’t officials probed over Duterte arrest
The other three government officials recommended by Marcos to be investigated by the Ombudsman were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Special Envoy for Transnational Crimes Markus Lacanilao.
Duterte was arrested last March 11 and brought to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands to face allegations of crimes against humanity said to have been committed under his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
