Rodrigo Duterte Received Special Treatment during Arrest Compared w/ Ordinary Suspects — Lawyer

ICC-Accredited Lawyer Speaks on Arrest of Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Privileges

RODRIGO DUTERTE – A lawyer accredited by the ICC believes that former President Rodrigo Duterte received special treatment during his arrest compared with ordinary suspects.

The Philippines is currently experiencing political turmoil since the controversial arrest of former Pres. Duterte. The former Chief Executive was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) upon his arrival from Hong Kong last March 11.

Rodrigo Roa DutertePhoto from South China Morning Post

Former Pres. Duterte is now in the custody of the ICC or the International Criminal Court. The former Chief Executive of the Philippines is faced with allegations over the war on drugs of the previous administration.

However, there are questions on the legality and the presence of the due process in the arrest of the former President. He was flown to the Hague, Netherlands on the same day that he was arrested upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Rodrigo Duterte

According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the legal team of former Pres. Duterte will be composed of all foreign lawyers. The Vice President immediately followed her father in the Hague, Netherlands.

Sara DutertePhoto Courtesy of GMA News

Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants her to come home immediately to the Philippines. She stressed that FPRRD has likened his detention place into a hotel accommodation and he is friends with the detention staff.

Sara DutertePhoto Courtesy of GMA News

Amid the questions on the due process in the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, a lawyer accredited by the ICC, Joel Butuyan, spoke to reject the claims that it was a “warrantless” arrest.

“Mayroon po ng warrant of arrest and it was issued by an international court na naging miyembro tayo. Hindi po totoong warrantless arrest ito, dahil talagang mayroong warrant,” Butuyan said.

According to the lawyer, the Philippine government has the Republic Act No. 9851 and Article 59 of the Rome Statute as the legal basis in executing the warrant of arrest issued by the ICC. Based on the report, the latter includes verifying the identity of the accused and ensuring their rights.

“Anong nangyari sa pag-aresto kay former President Duterte? Binasahan siya ng Miranda rights niya. So, that’s pursuant to our domestic law on arrest and then mayroon siyang abogado doon, hindi lang isa, dalawa,” he said.

Based on the report, Atty. Joel Butuyan also compared the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and those of ordinary suspects. According to him, the former President received a special treatment compared to the ordinary suspects and a lot of privileges were allegedly extended to him.

“Kung ikukumpara natin iyong pag-serve ng warrant of arrest kay former President Duterte sa pag-serve ng warrant of arrest sa ordinary suspect or criminal sa Pilipinas, eh sobrang nakakalamang si former President Duterte,” the lawyer said.

Amid the detention of the former President in the ICC detention facility in the Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed he does not feel anything at all and the Filipinos must move on as a country.