MANILA — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, accused of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s war on drugs, has claimed that his detention is illegal.

A series of videos posted on Instagram by his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, showed the former leader inside Villamor Airbase on Tuesday, questioning Prosecutor General Anthony Fadullon about the legal grounds for his detention.

“What is the law and what is the crime that I committed?” Duterte asked. “Show it to me now, the legal basis for my being here. Apparently, I was brought here not of my own volition, but by someone else’s decision.”

Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was also present, pointed out that Duterte was not presented with a specific case when he was served the arrest warrant. Medialdea also reminded Fadullon that the Philippines had withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Hindi ba kayo na-aano na ganito ginagawa natin, sumusunod tayo sa isang entity na hindi na tayo miyembro, nag-withdraw na tayo,” Medialdea remarked.

Duterte has been taken into police custody following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) via Interpol.

Despite having withdrawn from the ICC, the Philippines remains a member of Interpol.

Supporters Rally Behind Duterte Amid Arrest

Supporters of the former president gathered in protest after his arrest, with some becoming visibly emotional as authorities took him into custody.

Philip Salvador, a senatorial candidate from Duterte’s party PDP-Laban, claimed that the former leader has been denied access to medical attention. According to Salvador, Duterte has been experiencing back pain since the previous day and may require treatment at Cardinal Santos Medical Center. He further alleged that no official arrest warrant was presented and that even Duterte’s legal representatives have not been permitted to see him.

The arrest has sparked strong reactions from Duterte’s allies, with former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy accusing President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. of authoritarianism.

“Nagpakita na naman ng mukha ang Marcos administration, si Bongbong, kung sino siya. Pasista, diktador, matakot na tayong lahat,” said Badoy.

Badoy also dismissed the reported Interpol notice against Duterte, suggesting it lacked legitimacy.

“Kahit siguro sa Recto pwedeng kukunin yan,” Badoy said.

Meanwhile, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has urged Filipinos to take to the streets and assemble at EDSA in protest against Duterte’s detention.

“We are calling on people to exercise their democratic rights para marinig ang kanilang saloobin na ang ipinaglalaban dito ay hindi lang ang karapatan ni Presidente Duterte kundi karapatan ng lahat ng Pilipino,” Roque said.

“Ang panawagan natin ay mga kababayan, kung dati hindi tayo nakikisalamuha sa mga pagtitipon diyan sa EDSA, siguro dapat tumungo na tayo sa EDSA ngayon at ipakita natin na tutol tayo sa ilegal na pag-aresto ni dating Pangulo Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Sa tingin ko, kung tayo naman ay magsasama-sama, lahat tayo ay maririnig ng mga kinauukulan. Kailangan respetuhin ang soberanya ng sambayanang Pilipino, respetuhin ang hurisdiksyon ng lokal na hukuman kung meron mang krimen na nangyayari,” Roque stressed.

Call for Prayers

Senator Bong Go, a close ally of Duterte, called for prayers for the former leader, appealing to the public to show their support through spiritual solidarity.

“Dasal po. Ipagdasal natin si Tatay Digong. Mga kababayan ko, minahal tayo ni Tatay Digong. Ipagdasal natin siya, ipakita natin ang ating pagmamahal sa kanya sa pagdarasal,” said Go.

📷 Screenshot from Veronica “Kitty” Duterte