Malacañang has recommended that Senator Imee Marcos invite international legal experts to her Senate inquiry on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte to provide deeper insight and clarity on the case.
“It would be better if she could bring in international law experts for better understanding,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a media briefing.
Senator Imee, who is President Bongbong Marcos’ sister, earlier raised concerns about alleged violations during Duterte’s arrest. She also criticized the absence of Cabinet officials at a prior Senate hearing, hinting at a possible “cover-up” surrounding the former president’s detention.
However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed that officials are set to attend the next hearing on April 10. While he didn’t specify who exactly, he noted that the presence of Police Major General Nicolas Torre III — who led Duterte’s arrest — has been guaranteed.
Torre has previously defended the operation, asserting that Duterte was apprehended lawfully.
Vice President Sara Duterte has also said she’s willing to attend the upcoming sessions focused on her father’s controversial arrest.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 and taken to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he now faces charges of crimes against humanity over extrajudicial killings linked to his administration’s drug war.