Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday urged the Office of the Ombudsman to launch a probe into top government officials involved in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press briefing, the presidential sister presented the full findings of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which she chairs, on the arrest of the former president.
Among the officials being recommended for investigation are the following:
- Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla
- Philippine National Police (PNP) PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil
- Secretary of Interior and Local Government Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla
- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director PMGen. General Nicolas Torre III
- Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Ambassador Markus Lacanilao
Marcos explained that the mentioned officials could be held liable for violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave misconduct, usurpation of official functions, arbitrary detention, among other charges, in connection with the arrest of Duterte based on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Furthermore, in the committee report, the senator reiterated that the arrest and transport of former President Duterte to The Hague in the Netherlands was politically motivated.
“The arrest of FPRRD was part of a whole-of-government effort to bring down the Duterte,” Marcos said in the report.
She cited the document, “Mid-Election Final Campaign Sprint Action Plan” from Lakas-CMD, which she claimed included the outcomes of “Oplan Horus,” an initiative allegedly rolled out in April 2024, intending to bring down the Dutertes.
Moreover, she alleged that there is a coordinated effort to conceal the details and true motives behind Duterte’s arrest.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, emphasized that although everyone has the right to their opinion, he does not share the same view.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I disagree," Marcos said in a chance interview with reporters.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Remulla remarked that he was glad to see Senator Marcos supporting due process, "unlike the people that she’s defending."
"At least she wants to go to the due process of how charges are filed and how guilt is decided. So natutuwa naman ako sa kanya na naniniwala siya sa due process," he noted.
Remulla affirmed that he has nothing to hide and is ready to respond to any accusations at any time.
“Of course, anytime. I have nothing to hide," Remulla firmly stated.
The former president was taken into custody upon arriving in Manila from Hong Kong on March 11. He was later flown to The Hague, Netherlands, to stand trial for charges brought against him.
He is facing charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
Furthermore, the confirmation hearing for the charges is scheduled for September 23, 2025.
