Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed claims by Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte that his family is being targeted by the Marcos administration following the issuance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte.
During a Facebook Live session, Baste expressed frustration over what he described as his family’s difficult situation, suggesting they are being “singled out” by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government.
“Is he saying that being ‘singled out’ means he wants others to be implicated as well?” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked about the mayor’s remarks.
Castro reiterated that the ICC warrant describes Duterte as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war.
“The warrant of arrest is solely for former President Duterte. There are no other named co-perpetrators at this time,” Castro said.
“The claim of being singled out is merely a narrative to gain public sympathy,” she added.
Castro emphasized that the ICC case was not filed under the current administration, but rather stemmed from events during Duterte’s presidency.
She pointed out that Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 was widely viewed as an attempt to evade accountability.
“The ICC does not recognize immunity from suit,” Castro said. “That’s why the case proceeded despite the withdrawal.”
Baste’s statements come amid growing tensions between the Duterte family and the Marcos administration after the recent arrest of the Duterte patriarch.
However, Castro maintained that the warrant is a consequence of Duterte’s alleged actions and not a political move by the current government.
“There is no persecution here,” Castro said. “The accusations are directly tied to the former president’s policies,” she added.