MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) had former president Rodrigo Duterte arrested and detained at The Hague, Netherlands for crimes against humanity because of complaints filed against him by the victims of his bloody war on drugs, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Sunday.
She issued the clarification in her "Batas with Atty. Claire Castro" YouTube podcast in response to Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte's accusation that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a hand in the arrest of his father.
The former president was arrested on March 11, 2025 through the help of the Interpol.
During the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Laban national assembly on Saturday, the mayor said concerned authorities "have cooperated with a president who moves like a syndicate," particularly in bringing the elder Duterte to the ICC.
Sought to react on the mayor's allegation, Castro said it would not be an issue or a problem "had there been no alleged victims, had his father did not admit killing people."
"Walang napatay, walang biktima, walang magkakaso, walang kaso, walang ICC, walang The Hague ([If] No one was killed, [there would have been] no victim, no complainant, no case, no ICC, no The Hague," Castro said.
"So, he should not blame President Marcos Jr. regarding this," she said in Filipino. "It started with them -- not with President Marcos Jr.," she added.
Castro also noted that retired Col. Jovie Espenido, a former official of the former president Duterte, claimed that during the latter's time the Philippine National Police was transformed into the "biggest organized crime group."
"So, he (mayor Duterte) should not attribute to President Marcos Jr. what his father did when he was president. Someone gives reward money to kill," she said.
"It would be better for Mayor Baste Duterte not to turn a blind eye. Or if he knew what his father and his group did he should not attribute it to President Marcos Jr.," Castro said.
