MANILA – Acting Davao City mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has gone on the offensive, hauling some of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s most powerful Cabinet members and top police generals before the Ombudsman for their role in the dramatic arrest and transfer of his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to The Hague.
In a searing 160-page affidavit-complaint, Baste accused Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Juan Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and other senior officials of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, grave misconduct, and multiple violations of law.
Former PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, ex-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and several law enforcement officers were also named respondents.
According to Baste, Duterte and his entourage—including former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea—were intercepted by law enforcers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11 upon arrival from Hong Kong. Authorities invoked an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant coursed through Interpol, but Duterte’s lawyers rejected its validity under Philippine law.
The complaint alleged the ex-chief executive was forcibly brought to Villamor Air Base, held under tight guard, and flown to The Hague without due process—while being denied prompt medical care despite his diabetes.
Baste said he filed the charges since his father remains detained abroad. “He cannot file the case himself since he is still abroad, so I felt compelled to seek justice,” he stressed.
The Marcos officials and police generals now face accusations ranging from kidnapping and arbitrary detention to usurpation of judicial functions, direct assault, and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act./PN
