THE Malacañang confirmed on Friday, March 14, 2025, that the Philippine government shouldered all the expenses for the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands.
In a press conference, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said she is not privy as to how much the government spent in order to bring Duterte to the ICC.
“Opo, ina-admit po ng Palasyo, ang nagbayad gobyerno po. Ito po ay may kaugnayan sa assistance na binigay natin sa Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization),” Castro said.
(Yes, the Palace admits that it was the government that paid. This is related to the assistance we provided to Interpol.)
“Sabi nga natin, pag hiningi po ang assistance, dapat kumpleto po dahil kung wala naman ipo-provide na sasakyan para madala ang dating pangulo sa ICC, e, parang hindi naging kumpleto ang pagtugon natin sa ating commitment to the Interpol,” she added.
(As we said, when assistance is requested, it should be complete because if there is no vehicle provided to transport the former president to the ICC, it’s like we didn't fulfill our commitment to Interpol.)
Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, upon his arrival in the country from Hong Kong on the basis of the arrest warrant issued against him by the ICC amid its investigation of the deaths of over 6,000 individuals during the implementation of his drug war.
He was brought to the Hague, The Netherlands aboard a private jet.
Duterte is currently held at The Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison in the Netherlands and is set to appear before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on Friday, March 14.
On the orders of Duterte, the Philippines withdrew its membership to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC in 2019.
The current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has decided not to rejoin the global court.
Marcos earlier maintained that the assistance provided by the Philippine government for Duterte’s arrest was not because of the ICC arrest order but of its commitment to the Interpol, which was tapped by the body to effect the order.
He recognized that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the Philippines.
However, Castro said the administration ensured that Duterte would have a fair trial.
“Base po sa RA (Republic Act) 9851, bilang Pilipino, hindi lang dahil dating pangulo si dating Pangulong Duterte, kailanganin din po natin ang gobyerno na mai-sure po, masiguro natin na nagkakaroon po ng fair trial, lalong-lalo na po Pilipino po ang dating Pangulong Duterte,” Castro said.
(Based on RA 9851, as Filipinos, it’s not just because former President Duterte was the past president, but we also need the government to ensure, to make sure, that a fair trial is taking place, especially since former President Duterte is a Filipino.)
She noted that Duterte will pay for his own lawyers.
Castro said the Philippine government may comply amid reports that the ICC may order the freezing of Duterte’s assets while the trial is ongoing.
“If meron (batas) that will allow us, tayo ay magco-comply dahil lahat po ng gagawin natin base sa batas,” she added.
(If there is a law that will allow us, we will comply because everything we do is based on the law.)
Loyalty check
Amid reports that several police and military personnel resigned from the service in support of Duterte, Castro said the Malacañang does not see the need for the conduct of loyalty checks within the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Maraming nagpapakalat ng iba’t ibang kuwento na walang katotohanan sa atin pong paningin. Ang pagkakalat po ng ganitong klaseng kwento ay para mas lumaki ang simpatya sa dating Pangulong Duterte,” she said.
(Many are spreading various stories that are not true in our view. The spreading of such stories is meant to increase sympathy for former President Duterte.)
“Pero sabi nga natin ang mga taong bayan sana imulat n’yo ang inyong mga mata tignan n’yo po kung ano ba ang katotohanan, muli wag nating iwan yung issue ng extra-judicial killings, meron pong mga namatay, meron pong mga nagrereklamo,” she added.
(But as we said, we hope the people will open their eyes and see what the truth is. Again, let's not leave the issue of extrajudicial killings. There are people who have died, and there are those who are complaining.)
She said Marcos is confident that the government complied with the country’s laws during the arrest of Duterte. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)