Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Tuesday, Sept. 2, defended his role in the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, saying it was necessary to maintain national stability and prevent violence.
“Trabaho namin ‘yun to keep the country stable, to prevent violence, to prevent the happening of any untoward acts, and I think we were able to peacefully bring him abroad to face the charges against him without hurting anybody physically,” Remulla said, referring to Duterte’s March 11 arrest and subsequent detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, Netherlands, over alleged crimes against humanity tied to his drug war.
Following his interview before the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) for his application as Ombudsman, Remulla announced he would ask the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) to immediately resolve the complaint filed against him and his co-respondents in connection with Duterte’s arrest.
“I’ll be filing a motion to resolve as soon as possible,” he told journalists.
Should the JBC nominate him and President Marcos appoint him as Ombudsman, Remulla vowed that the office would not be weaponized for political ends.
“The OMB has to be fair. Hindi naman dapat wini-weaponize. It should never be weaponized,” he emphasized.
The complaint, filed last May by Sen. Imee Marcos, accuses Remulla and others of arbitrary detention under Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code, usurpation of judicial functions, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and breaches of Republic Act No. 7438, which outlines the rights of detained persons. (Jeffrey Damicog)
