AFP, PNP on alert after Duterte arrest, transfer to The Hague
IN TRANSIT Former President Rodrigo Duterte talks with his former executive secretary, Salvador Medialdea, on the chartered jet taking him to The Hague, in this photo released by Sen. Bong Go on Wednesday. —Bong Go/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Government forces are on alert and ready to respond to any situation that may threaten peace and order in the country following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing a case of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, however, said on Wednesday that the security situation in the country remains stable.
At the same time, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement that “speculations of military action or unrest [have] no basis.”
READ: Former President Rodrigo Duterte now in the custody of ICC
The military would remain “strictly professional and nonpartisan,” she said. “We remain to be solid and professional, unequivocally committed to the chain of command and the democratic institutions of the Philippines.”
According to Padilla, the arrest of Duterte was “a matter of law enforcement, and therefore, outside the AFP’s direct purview.”
She said the AFP was focused on its mission of safeguarding national security and maintaining stability.
“While the security situation remains stable, the AFP is actively monitoring developments and is prepared to respond appropriately to any threats to peace and order,” she said, adding that the military was maintaining “a high state of readiness.”
“We call on all Filipinos to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. Let us prioritize unity and allow the legal processes to unfold,” Padilla said.
‘Very professional’
In a separate statement, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said they would remain “very professional” and follow the chain of command.
“We focus more on why we exist. We exist to protect the sovereignty of our country and, most especially, preparation for our defense,” he said.
For its part, the PNP said it was closely monitoring developments, adding that it was fully prepared to respond to any eventuality arising from the arrest of Duterte on Tuesday.
The former President was taken hours later on a chartered Gulfstream G550 jet to The Hague in the Netherlands, where the ICC headquarters is located.
But the PNP described the situation nationwide as “generally peaceful” and “under control.”
Before Duterte’s departure, his supporters gathered outside Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, where he was placed under police custody after he arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong.
The PNP said it raised its alert status to heightened alert nationwide at 5 p.m. on Tuesday as part of standard security measures.
“The PNP continues to monitor the situation closely and is fully prepared to respond to any developments. Our personnel have been strategically deployed to ensure peace and security nationwide,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said in a statement.
PNP personnel were spotted in the vicinity of Edsa Shrine on Wednesday in anticipation of protests organized by Duterte supporters.
