- Criminal complaint vs. top gov’t officials over FPRRD’s arrest
MAYOR Sebastian Z. Duterte filed criminal and administrative complaints on Monday, Sept. 15, against several high-ranking government officials and police officers for the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The complaint, filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, alleged a wide range of offenses related to the former President’s detention and transfer on March 11, 2025.
Named in the complaint were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juan Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
Also listed as respondents are officials from the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government agencies, along with unnamed individuals.
The complaint accused the officials of criminal offenses, including kidnapping (eight counts), arbitrary detention (eight counts), expulsion, and usurpation of judicial functions.
In addition, they face administrative charges like serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines.
According to the 160-page affidavit, the respondents are “impleaded” for their alleged roles in the operation.
For instance, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla were accused of conspiring with the ICC and Interpol in the “illegal implementation” of the foreign warrant.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año were also named as “principal directors” who allegedly cooperated in the operation.
Former PNP Chiefs Rommel Marbil and Nicholas Torre III face charges for exercising command responsibility over officers who allegedly executed an unlawful arrest and facilitated the former president’s transfer without a valid local warrant.
Torre was named as a respondent in his capacity as the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, who supervised the operation.
According to the complaint, Torre disregarded constitutional safeguards requiring a valid warrant of arrest issued by a competent Philippine court. His actions, including his refusal to allow Duterte access to legal counsel and medical care, as well as the forcible transfer to the Hague in the Netherlands, constituted unlawful deprivation of liberty. He also facilitated the commission of the other crimes in the process.
Markus Lacanilao was named in the complaint in his official capacity as the Special Envoy for Transnational Crime. Lacanilao presented a certain document, purportedly an arrest warrant issued by the ICC authorizing the arrest of Duterte. He also participated in the actual arrest, detention, and expulsion of the former president.
Executive director Anthony Alcantara was impleaded in his official capacity as the executive director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes (PCTC). Alcantara also presented a document, purportedly an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon was named in his capacity as the prosecutor general of the National Prosecution Office of the Department of Justice.
Brigadier General Jean Fajardo was implicated in her capacity as the PNP spokesperson who reportedly refused to provide information about the current location and the possible whereabouts of Duterte at the time of his arrest. She was also present at the Villamor Airbase.
John Doe and Jane Doe, the pilots of the aircraft with plane tail number RP-C5129 that brought Duterte to the Hague, were also named in the complaint, as well as the owner of the Gulfstream G550 Jet.
The younger Duterte’s legal team, consisting of the Law Firm of Torreon and Partners, Tolentino & Associates, and Delgra Law Office, stated that the charges are based on detailed circumstances outlined in the affidavit and supporting documents.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Remulla, in a press conference, dismissed the new complaint as “forum shopping,” accusing the mayor of using the case to block his application for Ombudsman further.
Photo courtesy of Israelito Torreon
