Agencies told to explain Duterte arrest

THE Ombudsman has ordered several high-ranking government officials to file a counter-affidavit in response to the findings by the Senate foreign relations committee of ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s allegedly illegal arrest.

The Justice and Interior secretaries, national police chief, Crime Investigation and Detection Group director and special envoy on transnational crimes of the Foreign Affairs department were given 10 days to comment on the committee findings.

“Failure to file a counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as a waiver of respondents’ right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly,” according to the three-page order.

The complaint came after the Senate body probed the arrest of Mr. Duterte, who is now in custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague awaiting trial for his alleged crimes against humanity. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana