This is no longer just about Duterte. This is about the future of Philippine democracy ! UNLAWFUL ARREST OF FORMER PRESIDENT DUTERTE: A DIRECT ATTACK ON PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY AND THE RULE OF LAW The reported arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the Philippine National Police (PNP) without a valid warrant is not only unconstitutional—it is a direct assault on the very foundations of Philippine sovereignty and the rule of law. I. VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Under Article III, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable. No search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge..." The arrest of Duterte without a warrant is a clear violation of this constitutional provision. The requirement for a valid warrant is absolute, unless: ➡️The person is caught in flagrante delicto (in the act of committing a crime). ➡️The person is attempting to escape after committing a crime. ➡️The person is found in possession of evidence linking them directly to a crime. None of these exceptions apply in Duterte's case. Therefore, the arrest was not only illegal—it was an act of political aggression. II. ICC JURISDICTION IS INVALID UNDER PHILIPPINE LAW The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under Duterte's administration. Under Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution, a treaty is only effective upon Senate concurrence. Since the withdrawal was not overturned by the Senate, the ICC has no standing jurisdiction over the Philippines or Duterte. Furthermore, the Supreme Court in Pangilinan v. Cayetano (2018) affirmed that international treaties are only binding when ratified through constitutional processes. If the ICC had issued the order for Duterte’s arrest, it would be legally null and void under Philippine law. The administration’s cooperation with any ICC directive is an unconstitutional surrender of national sovereignty—a betrayal of the Filipino people. III. PNP AND ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ILLEGAL DETENTION By carrying out this illegal arrest, the PNP Chief and those involved have exposed themselves to legal and criminal liability under: ➡️Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code (Arbitrary Detention). ➡️Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code (Delay in the Delivery of Detained Persons to the Proper Judicial Authorities). Enrile (1985) that any arrest or detention without a warrant constitutes a direct violation of due process and is grounds for immediate release and legal action against the arresting officers. IV. POLITICAL PERSECUTION UNDERMINES DEMOCRACY Former Presidents Estrada and Arroyo were charged and tried under the jurisdiction of Philippine courts—not by foreign tribunals or through illegal arrests. The handling of Duterte’s case through political and foreign influence sets a dangerous precedent: ➡️It delegitimizes the Philippine judicial system. ➡️It subjects the country’s political future to foreign manipulation. ➡️It weakens the Filipino people’s faith in democratic institutions. Political power shifts with every administration, but the rule of law and national sovereignty must remain constant. Allowing foreign pressure to dictate internal legal affairs is a sign of political weakness and a threat to democratic stability. V. THE PEOPLE WILL NOT BE SILENCED The illegal arrest of Duterte is not just a legal misstep—it is an act of political war. Every Filipino who values justice and national sovereignty must resist this dangerous overreach of power. If the administration allows Rody Duterte to be detained under foreign influence, it will face: ➡️Public outrage from the millions who supported Duterte's leadership. ➡️Political fallout from betraying the constitutional order. ➡️Legal consequences for violating Duterte’s constitutional rights. This is no longer just about Duterte. This is about the future of Philippine democracy. The Filipino people will not stand down. Release Duterte now—or face the full weight of the Constitution and the people's will. God save the Philippines! 🙏🇵🇭👊🦅💚 *Ctto #ICC #ArrestWarrant #FPRRD #HarassmentCase #MalasakitSaKapwa #MalasakitatSerbisyo #DuterteLegacy #PDPLaban #Corruption #corruptiongoverment #corrupt #ProtectVPSara #ombudsman #CongressPH #supremecourtph #SupremeCourt #justice #JusticeDepartment #accountability #GodSaveThePhilippines #UpholdTheConstitution #NoToLegislativeAbuse #TransparencyNow #ThePeopleDeserveBetter #ParaSaBayan #NoToCorruption #TapatNaPamumuno #freedomofspeech #impeachment #freespeach