Philippines: Imee Marcos to launch Senate probe into Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on March 20

Re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos will hold a Senate investigation on March 20 into the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has sought the probe.

In a statement on Monday, March 17, she said, “As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I am calling for an urgent investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an issue that has deeply divided the nation.”

“To shed light on this matter, I am inviting key officials and agencies, including representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Office of Transportation Security-Department of Transportation (OTS-DOTr), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Security Council (NSC), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other relevant resource persons and witnesses,” she added.

“The Senate must address these critical concerns to uphold the country’s jurisdiction and clarify policies governing our law enforcement agencies and their engagement with international tribunals,” Marcos said.

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, after Interpol served an ICC-issued arrest warrant. He is now in ICC custody in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs during his administration.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I has scheduled Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing for September 23, 2025.