The Ombudsman has directed officials from various government agencies to submit their counter-affidavits regarding Senator Imee Marcos’ complaints about the alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) illegal arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Among those ordered to respond are DOJ Secretary Crispin Remulla, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP Chief Rommel Marbil, CIDG Chief Nicholas Torre III, and Philippine special envoy on transnational crime Ambassador Markus Lacanilao.
These officials are named respondents to charges of arbitrary detention, usurpation of judicial functions, grave threats, graft, false testimony, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
They have 10 days to submit their counter-affidavits as part of the Ombudsman’s investigation.
According to the order, failure to submit counter-affidavits will be considered a waiver of their right to present controverting evidence, and the preliminary investigation into the alleged illegal arrest of the former president will proceed.
It can be recalled that Marcos pushed for a Senate investigation into Duterte’s arrest, and the report submitted to the Ombudsman recommended filing criminal and administrative charges against the aforementioned officials.
Duterte has been detained in the ICC Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands since March 11 this year for crimes against humanity charges in relation to his administration’s war on drugs.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.