MANILA, Philippines — Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Monday filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao against several high-ranking government officials, accusing them of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, and unlawful expulsion in connection with former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March.
In a 160-page affidavit-complaint, Sebastian Duterte named as respondents Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Police Major General Nicolas Deloso Torre III, and several other justice and police officials.
He claimed in the complaint that on March 11, 2025, the respondents illegally arrested the former president upon his arrival at NAIA Terminal 3 from Hong Kong, detained him and members of his entourage at Villamor Airbase, denied him medical care and legal counsel, and forcibly flew him to The Netherlands via a chartered jet without any Philippine court order or valid extradition process.
The affidavit included detailed allegations that officials presented only an Interpol diffusion notice—not a valid arrest warrant—and ignored repeated requests from Duterte’s lawyers and family, including Vice President Sara Duterte, to see him or provide legal documents.
The acting mayor claimed that his father, who suffers from diabetes, was denied immediate medical attention despite a doctor’s certification warning of life-threatening complications.
He argued that the International Criminal Court (ICC) lost jurisdiction over the Philippines after the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. He accused the respondents of violating numerous laws, including the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Torture Act, and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaint seeks to hold the officials accountable for what it describes as a “pre-planned illegal arrest, detention, and expulsion” that disregarded Philippine sovereignty and constitutional rights.
