ASEANEWS HEADLINE-COURTS & CRIME | MANILA: ICC warrant for Duterte out? Government prepared
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Duterte on alleged ICC arrest warrant: “I did what was necessary” | Morning Matters
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MANILA, Philippines — There is no official word yet from the International Criminal Court on whether or not an arrest warrant has been issued by the ICC against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
But rumors regarding the issuance of an arrest warrant circulated over the weekend, as Duterte was in Hong Kong yesterday during the “Pasasalamat kay PRRD with OFWs” event at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.
His daughter, impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, was also in Hong Kong to join the campaign sortie.
On the ICC website, where official updates regarding the case are posted, there was still no new development on the ongoing investigation as of yesterday.
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The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has yet to respond to questions regarding the matter.
A lawyer representing drug war victims of the Duterte administration earlier said that the ICC is not mandated to publicly announce the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Neither confirming nor denying the release of the arrest warrant, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz expressed the government’s readiness no matter how the ICC case unfolds.
“We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court against former president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity. The government is prepared for any eventuality,” he said in a statement.
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In a separate statement, Palace press officer Claire Castro said there was no confirmation yet from Malacañang about the issuance of the arrest warrant, yet the government would be “obliged to follow” if the Interpol asks for “necessary assistance.”
Likewise, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said his office has not received any such notice from the ICC pertaining to an arrest warrant.
“Our DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is the official entry point for any such notice or communication as a matter of diplomatic courtesy,” he noted. — Evelyn Macairan
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