Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero is hoping that the chamber’s public inquiry on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte will not further “deepen wounds and conflicts” among Filipinos.
Escudero made the remark in a press conference on Monday when asked to comment on Sen. Imee Marcos’ earlier statement that, as chairperson of the Senate panel on foreign affairs, she intends to investigate Duterte’s recent arrest.
“Kung ang concern ni Sen. Imee ay grabe na ang divisiveness o ang pagkakawatak-watak natin, edi sana ang maging dulo ng kanyang pagdinig ay maghilom tayo at magkaroon ng pagkakaisa muli at hindi lalo pang dagdagan ang divisiveness o ang pagkakaaway away natin,” said Escudero.
READ: Imee Marcos seeks urgent Senate probe into Duterte arrest
According to Escudero, he agrees that there’s a need to clear out uncertainties and questions regarding the arrest, but he maintained that it should not cause further divisiveness among Filipinos.
“Sana hindi makadagdag ang pagdinig na yan kaugnay sa lalong paglalim pa ng sugat at hidwaan sa pagitan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The presidential sister earlier disclosed that she wants the Senate to urgently investigate the arrest of Duterte, a close friend of hers, citing the need to determine whether due process was followed, given the involvement of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“As chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations, I am calling for an urgent investigation into the arrest of former President Duterte, an issue that has deeply divided the nation,” said the lady senator in a statement on Monday.
READ: Imee Marcos skips admin sortie: ‘I can’t accept what was done to Duterte’
Duterte was arrested on March 11 by the power of an arrest warrant issued from the ICC.
The warrant was based on the grounds of crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration when he waged war against illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier brushed off claims that Duterte’s arrest was a political persecution.
According to the president, the government only complied with Interpol.