Baste files cases vs officials over Duterte ICC arrest
Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has filed nine criminal and administrative cases before the Ombudsman against several Cabinet officials and police generals involved in the arrest of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The complaint centers on the March 11, 2025 incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, where Rodrigo Duterte was arrested upon arrival from Hong Kong and later turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In his affidavit, Baste Duterte claimed the arrest was illegal and lacked legal basis. He said authorities only presented an Interpol diffusion notice, which he argued is not a valid warrant of arrest.
Those named in the complaint include Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, along with Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty.
Also implicated are former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and Gen. Nicolas Torre III, as well as Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
The acting mayor accused the officials of orchestrating what he described as a “pre-planned illegal arrest, detention, and expulsion,” which he said violated the Constitution and Philippine sovereignty. He is seeking accountability under the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Torture Act, and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The case is the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the former president’s detention by the ICC, which has faced opposition from Duterte’s political allies who insist the move undermines national sovereignty.
