Imee Marcos to Ombudsman: Probe gov’t execs who gave Duterte to ICC

Sen. Imee Marcos wants the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and other top-ranking government officials allegedly involved in the surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Photo by Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos wants the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and other top government officials allegedly involved in the surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Marcos, who chairs the Senate panel on foreign relations, said on Friday afternoon that she transmitted to the Ombudsman her committee report that looked into the arrest of Duterte.

“During the course of the Senate inquiry, the Committee on Foreign Relations uncovered acts by high-ranking government officials which very likely constitute criminal and administrative offenses,” said Marcos.

“Thus, I am requesting that these officials, all of whom are named in the report, be investigated, and where appropriate, prosecuted and/or sanctioned in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations,” she added.

The chairman’s report enumerated the following officials whom Marcos wants the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute:

• Justice Secretary Remulla – According to Marcos, there is a basis to conclude that Remulla is liable for usurpation of judicial functions under Article 241 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Marcos said there is also a reason to believe that Remulla is liable for the administrative offense of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Services.
• General Nicolas Torre III – Marcos said there is basis to hold that Torre is liable for Arbitrary Detention, Grave Threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code, Grave Misconduct and Conduct of Prejudicial to the best Interest of Service.
• Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil –  The senator said based from the hearings, there are reasonable grounds to hold that Marbil is liable for Arbitrary Detention, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
• Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla – Marcos said the DILG chief should be held criminally liable for violation of Republic Act No. 3019 and Arbitraty Detention. The senator likewise noted that the government official should also be held accountable for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
• Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao – Marcos said Lacanilao should be held accountable for usurpation of Official Functions, False Testimony in other cases and Perjury in Solemn Affirmation, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

The ICC currently has custody of Duterte after he was arrested and sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs which left at least 6,000 people dead. But human rights groups reported that Duterte’s drug war left at least 20,000 dead.