Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla dismissed claims made by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had already issued an arrest warrant against Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Speaking to reporters at Camp Crame, Remulla said authorities have not received any information or document indicating that such a warrant exists, adding that Pulong Duterte appeared to be “high” when he made the remarks.
“Hindi ko nga alam, kaya baka sabog noong sinabi niya kasi siya lang ang nakakita noon eh. Sa amin wala pa naman,” Remulla said.
Go, a longtime aide and close confidant of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been mentioned in court records related to the crimes against humanity case being pursued by the ICC against the former chief executive over the killings linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Former Philippine National Police chief and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, another close ally of Rodrigo Duterte, is already the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. Dela Rosa served as the country’s top police official when Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016.
Pulong Duterte claimed on social media that a “highly reliable source” had informed him that the ICC had issued arrest warrants against Go and two former police officers. He also accused the Marcos administration of allegedly using the ICC as a political weapon against its opponents.
Responding to the congressman’s claim that the information came from a highly reliable source, Remulla quipped, “Baka high lang.”
The Department of the Interior and Local Government chief also warned against making unverified statements.
“We are always prepared, pero yung mga ganung klaseng pronouncements eh delikado ’yun,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Pulong Duterte challenged Remulla to undergo a hair follicle drug test, saying the same should include President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of his family to determine who among them was “high.”
The Davao lawmaker has repeatedly accused Marcos of using illegal drugs, allegations that the President has previously laughed off.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III said he was unaware of any ICC arrest warrant against Go.
“Eh, buti pa siya, ako hindi ko alam,” Torre said when asked about Duterte’s claim.
As of Friday, Philippine authorities have yet to issue any official confirmation regarding the alleged ICC arrest warrant mentioned by Pulong Duterte.
