Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has confirmed that he authorized the service of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant on former President Rodrigo Duterte and gave the green light to fly him to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity.
During a Senate inquiry into Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the ICC detention facility, Remulla revealed his pivotal role: “I will admit it that I gave the clearances to—number one, serve the warrant of arrest as I saw it, as I deem fit. And number two, to fly him to The Hague, to be surrendered under Section 17 of Republic Act 9851.”
He added, “In some ways because I gave them the legal basis for all the actions that happened… If I have to be the one, if I’m the one that is being referred to.”
The former president was arrested and brought to the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague on March 13 (PH time). The next day, he appeared via video before the ICC, where the charges related to drug war killings during his term were read. A confirmation hearing is scheduled for September 23, 2025.
The Senate hearing turned tense when Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa pressed for answers on who ordered Duterte’s boarding on the private jet. Philippine Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Anthony Alcantara distanced himself from the decision, while PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil invoked executive privilege—drawing criticism from the senators.
“Nandito na tayo eh. Executive privilege ka d’yan,” Dela Rosa said.
“Kung sinu-sino na ang itinuro mo ngayon mag-e-executive privilege ka,” added Marcos.
Remulla defended Marbil’s move, saying, “Executive privilege is a valid excuse not to answer any question… If you’re trying to make a person admit something that should not be admitted, it means that there is something more to it.”
Despite tensions, both senators denied bullying the executive officials.
“We are not bullying you, sir,” Dela Rosa said, noting he himself is “the number two accused” in the ICC case.
“Nobody’s bullying you,” Marcos echoed.
Meanwhile, Duterte, his children, and Dela Rosa have filed petitions before the Supreme Court to question the legality of the arrest.
