Palace mum on VP claim of possible ICC arrest

MANILA, Philippines —  Malacañang was mum on Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that she is among those who could be ordered arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the previous administration’s war on illegal drugs.

According to the Vice President, she is also in the ICC’s arrest list, which allegedly contains the names of former police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, former special assistant to the president and now Sen. Bong Go, former police chief Oscar Albayalde and retired police generals Vicente Danao Jr. and Romeo Caramat Jr.

“We cannot say anything about that. We’re not dealing directly with the ICC. If there are questions about that, it would be better for them to talk to the ICC. We do not have any information from the ICC,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday.?“As to where the Vice President got that information, it would be better if it is obtained from them because for now, we cannot say anything about that,” she added.

The Vice President has claimed that the arrest of her father, who is awaiting trial in the Netherlands, is related to the midterm polls and the 2028 elections.

She said the opposition would be “strong” in the 2028 polls, but there are people who want to remain in power. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Emmanuel Tupas