Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. clarified that the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) do not have law enforcement authority and merely provided support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement on Thursday, Teodoro emphasized that the arrest was clearly a law enforcement action, and the Philippine National Police has the authority to request assistance from the AFP.
"And that is the extent of the participation of my Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And all other matters in supporting the Philippine National Police are governed by operational security," said Teodoro.
During the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing led by Senator Imee Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte pointed out the AFP’s silence on the arrest of her father, who was held at Villamor Air Base, the Philippine Air Force headquarters, before being flown to The Hague in the Netherlands.
She criticized the AFP for failing to intervene while the Philippine National Police (PNP) supposedly took control of the military airbase.
The Vice President was denied entry to Villamor Airbase during her father's arrest. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director, Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, later clarified that he issued the order to prevent chaos.
In response with Vice President Duterte's sentiments, Teodoro stated that they were "deputized" to assist the PNP and that it is the constitutional duty of the Armed Forces to adhere to the proper processes.
Furthermore, he explained that questioning those orders, even if backed by law or deemed right, would essentially mean the Armed Forces acting independently, which goes against the principle of civilian authority over the military.
"As we said, our jurisdiction ends in providing support to the Philippine National Police. And with respect to the Presidential Security Command, that is a highly secure unit and operational security is strictly followed," said Teodoro.
Upon arriving in Manila from Hong Kong on March 11, the 79-year-old former president was arrested by authorities, acting on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He is facing charges of crimes against humanity, which are alleged to have occurred in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
Malacañang previously stated that hours before Duterte’s arrival in the country, Interpol Manila received an official copy of the ICC warrant, prompting the Prosecutor General of the Department of Justice to execute the warrant.
Duterte is being held at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen, where he will remain throughout the trial for the charges filed against him.
On March 14, Duterte attended his first ICC hearing via video link, where he was informed of the charges against him and was made aware of his rights as a defendant.
The confirmation hearing for his charges is set for September 23, 2025.
