Malacañang called on Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday to consider inviting international legal experts to assist in her investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro suggested during a briefing that inviting such experts could provide clarity on the matter.
In her initial findings, Senator Imee Marcos, who is the sister of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., emphasized that there appeared to be significant violations in the arrest of Duterte.
The senator also criticized the absence of Cabinet members at the second Senate hearing on the issue, suggesting that there could be an attempt to cover up the details surrounding Duterte’s arrest.
However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero assured that officials invited to the hearing would attend on April 10.
“I’m not sure who exactly, but they will attend. Someone will be present at the hearing,” Escudero stated.
He also mentioned that Police Major General Nicolas Torre III’s presence was specifically requested.
Torre, who heads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), had been previously questioned by senators about the nature of Duterte’s arrest, to which he defended his actions, claiming he followed proper procedures.
Vice President Sara Duterte has also shown a willingness to participate in the hearings regarding her father’s arrest.
Duterte was arrested on March 11, and he voluntarily surrendered to the International Criminal Court, arriving in the Netherlands the following day. He is currently being detained in The Hague, facing charges related to crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings that occurred during his administration’s war on drugs.
