MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered top government officials to justify the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a unanimous decision, the SC En Banc consolidated a new petition filed by Davao City 1st district Representative Paolo Duterte with earlier petitions from his siblings, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Veronica Duterte. The petitions collectively challenge the legality of Duterte's arrest and detention, arguing that the Philippine government should not cooperate with the ICC.