PNP-CIDG Chief Major General Nicolas Torre III maintained that his actions during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte were lawful and justified, including the arrest of former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was with Duterte at the time.
Speaking during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Thursday, Torre was grilled by Senator Imee Marcos on why Medialdea had to be arrested. “Parang wala namang basehan para arestuhin si ES Medialdea. He is just blocking you,” Marcos said.
“He has been doing that for the past 10 hours,” Torre replied.
When pressed if the arrest was a tactic to force Duterte onto the plane, Torre insisted, “I just arrested Medialdea based on fact which is obstruction of justice. Nasa gitna namin siya.”
Marcos pointed out the legal inconsistency, questioning why Medialdea, though arrested, was not brought to jail. “Having arrested him you cannot just release him. Bawal yun, infidelity in the custody of prisoners,” she said.
“Those are decisions made in the context ng situation during the time. Sumakay siya sa eroplano, pinasakay namin siya,” Torre answered.
Also questioned was Torre’s decision to remove Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Martin Delgra III, from his side during the arrest.
“Ako nasa tabi ng dating Pangulo inaadvise namin siya as our counsel to invoke the legal remedies available to him,” Delgra said via video call. “I was pulled out by one of the PNP personnel away from the President. Shortly thereafter, they were able to secure the body of the President.”
Torre stood firm. “I do believe that everything that I did during the time are all within the ambit of the law. Ngayon kung may mga taong gustong magreklamo at ireklamo ako, I can answer them in the proper forum if they file the appropriate charges in court.”
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon backed Torre’s actions, saying the operation was carefully carried out. “Yung proseso po sinunod at mahabang panahon ang dumaan bago tayo dumating sa punto na kinailangan nang gawin ni General Torre na siguro pagsabihan at nung hindi sumunod ay pinosasan si former ES Medialdea,” he said.
“It is incorrect to say there was no dilatory tactic,” Fadullon added.
Torre clarified that the order to arrest Duterte came from PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil. However, when asked who ordered Marbil, Torre invoked executive privilege. DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla supported this, saying, “That’s executive privilege po basta usapan na po within the executive department hindi na po namin pwedeng ilabas dito.”
Remulla also admitted giving clearance to his brother, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong, following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to his controversial war on drugs. The former president was flown to The Hague the same day. He appeared via video before the ICC on March 14 and is expected to face a charge confirmation hearing on September 25.
