The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ensured that should there be security threats emanating from the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the military shall professionally and appropriately respond to them.
According to Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, a spokesperson of the AFP, the arrest of Duterte is mainly a law enforcement undertaking, but that the military is carrying out its role in ensuring national security and stability.
Padilla also urged Filipinos to pretty much “refrain from actions that ridicule and disrespect the rule of law in this time,” opting for unity while the legal processes are ongoing. Any speculation about military disquiet over the situation is simply not true, Padilla assured, adding that the AFP is “strictly professional” and “non-partisan.”
Duterte was arrested on Tuesday after authorities served him with an international warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity about his controversial war on drugs.
Later that evening, he was flown out of the country to The Hague in the Netherlands, which had a brief stopover in Dubai, about 8:03 a.m. Manila time. Anything pertinent about the future of Duterte’s legal case remains uncommunicated from the government.
