By Henry Empeño | 11 March 2025

FORMER Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II said on Tuesday that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) impinges on national sovereignty and sets a dangerous precedent.

In a statement released to the media following Duterte’s arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Honasan said Philippine courts should handle the case against Duterte instead of the ICC.

“The heart of this issue is not about political loyalties—whether one is for Marcos or Duterte. The real issue here is the sovereignty of our nation,” said Honasan, who served as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology under Duterte in 2019 to 2021.

He pointed out that both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla have consistently asserted that the Philippine justice system is functioning well.

“If there are charges against former President Duterte, then our courts—not the ICC and its foreign judges—must handle the case,” he added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said INTERPOL Manila received from ICC an official copy of Duterte’s warrant of arrest for crimes against humanity early Tuesday morning.

The ICC’s notification was served by the Prosecutor General after the former President and his group arrived at 9:20 a.m. at NAIA from Hong Kong aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 907.

Duterte is now under the custody of Philippine authorities, the PCO said.

Honasan, who was previously charged and imprisoned for leading a coup d’etat against President Corazon Aquino, recalled that former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were tried by Philippine courts, went through the judicial process, and were imprisoned within the bounds of Philippine laws.

“What is happening now is a dangerous precedent—one that raises serous questions about our nation’s sovereignty and our ability to uphold our own justice system,” Honasan asserted.

“The rule of law must prevail. Our justice system must not be dictated (upon) by foreign influence or international pressure,” he added. 