SEBASTIAN “Baste” Duterte, the youngest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, on Monday lodged criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against several top Marcos administration officials and police officers in connection with the March 11 arrest of his father.
In a 160-page affidavit-complaint, Baste accused Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Juan Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and other high-ranking officials of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, grave misconduct, and other violations of law.
Also named in the complaint were former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, former CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and other justice and police officials.
Baste alleged that his father, along with family members and former Cabinet officials including ex-Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, were accosted by authorities upon arrival from Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Officials reportedly presented an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant relayed through Interpol, which Duterte’s lawyers rejected as invalid under Philippine law.
According to the complaint, the former president was forcibly taken to Villamor Air Base, held for hours under heavy guard, and later flown to The Hague without due process.
It also claimed Duterte was denied immediate medical care despite his serious diabetic condition.
Baste explained that he was compelled to pursue the case since his father, now detained abroad, could not personally file charges.
Respondents face multiple counts of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, direct assault, usurpation of judicial functions, and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Malacañang earlier defended its cooperation with Interpol, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressing: “This is not just surrendering a Filipino citizen, this is surrendering a Filipino citizen accused of crimes against humanity, specifically murder.”