The Philippine National Police (PNP) rolling out the red carpet—figuratively, if not literally—for former President Rodrigo Duterte’s return from Hong Kong raises more questions than answers. With no less than PNP Chief General Romel Marbil overseeing the preparations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), one must wonder: Is this a routine security measure or a strategic move by the Marcos administration to control the narrative?

After all, it is not part of the PNP’s mandate to welcome a former president returning from abroad. And yet, here we are, with the country’s top cop making a high-profile visit to NAIA amid swirling rumors of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Duterte. This curious display of police presence—absent any clear government confirmation of a warrant—suggests that something else is at play.

Duterte himself has embraced the possibility of arrest, painting himself as a martyr for his brutal drug war, which human rights groups estimate killed nearly 30,000 people. “Assuming it’s true, why did I do it? For myself? For my family? For you and your children, and for our nation,” he declared in Hong Kong. His words echo the strongman rhetoric that defined his presidency, framing his potential ICC prosecution as a noble sacrifice rather than a reckoning for alleged crimes against humanity.

A Convenient Distraction?
While the spectacle of Duterte’s return dominates headlines, a far more pressing scandal is unfolding: the explosive revelations of Atty. Harold Respicio regarding alleged hacking of the automated election system in the upcoming May 2025 midterms. If proven true, this claim would call into question the integrity of the country’s electoral process and cast a long shadow over the Marcos administration.

Could the Duterte-ICC saga be a classic case of “wag the dog”—a manufactured controversy to distract from an inconvenient truth? Given the Marcos family’s long history of using political theatrics to deflect scrutiny, this possibility cannot be dismissed outright.

It is also worth noting that the PNP falls under the jurisdiction of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, while the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are under his brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. This concentration of power raises concerns about potential political maneuvering behind closed doors.

Duterte and Quiboloy: An Ironic Fate?
If the ICC warrant is real and Duterte is arrested, one can’t help but consider the irony of him potentially sharing a prison cell with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, his former spiritual adviser now facing human trafficking and sexual abuse charges. On one hand, you have a man who calls himself the “Appointed Son of God.” On the other, a leader whose war on drugs showed little regard for human life. Two figures who once wielded immense influence, now possibly confined by the very justice system they believed themselves untouchable by.

The Real Crisis: A Broken Justice System
Regardless of whether Duterte is arrested, this entire episode underscores a glaring truth: the Philippine justice system remains deeply flawed. The fact that accountability for mass extrajudicial killings may come not from local courts but from the ICC speaks volumes about the failure of institutions to uphold the rule of law.

The PNP’s hesitation—acknowledging its “legal obligation” to Interpol while also claiming uncertainty on the procedure—further reflects this dysfunction. Should the Marcos government cooperate with an ICC request, or will it shield Duterte under the guise of national sovereignty? That decision will ultimately reveal where the administration’s true loyalties lie: with justice, or with impunity.

In the meantime, Filipinos must remain vigilant. The political circus surrounding Duterte’s return should not distract from the larger crises at hand—threats to democracy, electoral fraud allegations, and a justice system that continues to serve the powerful while failing the people.(TAMBULI NG BAYAN-Ronnie Estrada)
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