Manila, Philippines – Senators on Thursday grilled Police Major General Nicolas Torre III, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), over the controversial arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11.
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee inquiry, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada expressed dismay over the circulating arrest footage.
“It was really unbelievable… a big disappointment,” Estrada said, recalling his and his father’s 2001 arrests.
Estrada questioned Torre over his alleged statement, “Hihilahin ko ‘yan, hihilahin ko ‘yan” (“I’ll drag him”), which Torre confirmed—but clarified it was directed at former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, not Duterte.
“It was all optics and tactics… I made good of it,” Torre said, emphasizing he was enforcing the arrest strictly.
Interior Secretary Remulla and Senators Weigh In
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla defended Torre, saying the statement was taken out of context during a heated exchange with Duterte’s legal team.
Senator Imee Marcos pointed out that the arrest should have complied with the PNP’s standard procedures prohibiting force, threats, or intimidation. She also highlighted Republic Act 7438, stressing the rights of those under arrest—including access to legal counsel.
Estrada and Marcos also criticized Torre’s refusal to let Vice President Sara Duterte enter Villamor Airbase, despite being Duterte’s daughter and legal counsel.
“She’s immediate family and a lawyer. Why was she barred from entry?” Marcos asked.
Torre explained the police’s sole mission was to transfer Duterte to the issuing authority, adding that family visits could happen later at the detention facility.
Estrada countered that the situation called for basic respect.
“Even just some courtesy… let the family or lawyers speak with him.”
Legal and Political Ramifications
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously declared the ICC lacked jurisdiction, but after Duterte’s arrest, said it was done at Interpol’s request, citing international commitments.
The ICC’s warrant accuses Duterte of crimes against humanity tied to his controversial war on drugs, citing involvement by the so-called Duterte Death Squad and law enforcement. Official records list over 6,200 drug-related deaths from 2016 to 2021, though human rights groups estimate the toll could be five times higher.
Duterte is currently detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.