[Rappler Investigates] ICC, Interpol bane of Duterte’s existence?

If you’ve been following the House quad committee hearings (quad because the body consists of four — dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights, and public accounts committees) led by chairperson Ace Barbers, you’ve probably, like me, been pleasantly surprised. They’ve conducted 11 public hearings thus far, the most recent one held last week, November 13, and the next one originally scheduled for this Thursday, but canceled as of Tuesday, November 19. As of Thursday morning, it was status quo, unlike the last hearing that had been canceled too, but which got “un-canceled” at the last minute.

With the usual flair for drama, Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance at the House on that same day, November 13, overflowing with bravado and machismo, but which my Mindanao colleague Herbie Gomez quickly deflated in this amusing piece. Recall that phrase from MacBeth — “all sound and fury, signifying nothing”? So apt for the former president who has visibly degenerated through the years. 

At one point, he was the epitome of unpresidential behavior (again) when he appeared ready to engage in fisticuffs with the provocative former senator Sonny Trillanes. Oh what a pathetic sight. Good thing, there were timely suspensions called by Barbers. In case you missed it, watch the House proceedings here or on YouTube. Just fast-forward to the more interesting exchanges.

INTERPOL. But let’s move that story forward. If we read the tea leaves right, the direction appears headed toward a warrant of arrest being requested by International Criminal Court prosecutors from the judges. (WATCH: The International Criminal Court process) How soon will that be granted? Possibly this year, if things move fast enough. Otherwise, that moves to 2025, an election year, which could be messy and harder to control. I’m pretty sure the Palace and its allies are well aware of that.

Assuming an arrest warrant or a summons, at the very least, is issued, who will implement it? Not the ICC itself because it holds no police powers. It will have to be coursed through the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization), in which membership has had proven benefits for the Philippines. Remember fugitive Arnie Teves, the former Negros Oriental lawmaker, or the British businessman for whom Interpol red notice alerts were issued?

Contrary to the wild imagination of the uninformed, Interpol agents cannot come swooping down to arrest Duterte and other persons of interest in the brutal drug war that systematically killed an estimated 20,000. As an Interpol member, the Philippines hosts a National Central Bureau that connects its own law enforcement with other countries and the Interpol’s own General Secretariat. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla recently declared that his department won’t stand in the way of the Interpol if it goes after ICC suspects.

This was echoed by the President’s solicitor general who said: “Cooperating with the Interpol and cooperating with the ICC are two different things. The first involves a legal duty; the second involves a political decision.” There you go, clear as day. It is the National Police Commission that has administrative control and operational supervision over the Philippine National Police and we know what that means.

The line in the sand has been drawn and prominently defined.

MARY GRACE WHAT? Meanwhile, do you have information about a mysterious woman named Mary Grace Piattos? Lawmakers who have been looking into the possible misuse of funds by offices under Vice President Sara Duterte have raised a P1-million reward for anyone who can provide information about the whereabouts of the suspicious Mary Grace Piattos. 

They are convinced that the name appearing on the acknowledgment receipts submitted by the Office of the Vice President to the Commission on Audit to justify its (mis)use of confidential funds amounting to P125 million is fictitious. 

The discoveries about the Dutertes could have been made years back if lawmakers looked hard enough. But in politics, it’s always about timing and yes, power.

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