Manila: Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday stated that the legal troubles of former President Rodrigo Duterte are not related to Philippine laws and should not be blamed on the government. An arrest warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was served by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and local police on Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs during his tenure as mayor and president.

According to Philippines News Agency, Enrile clarified in a statement posted on social media that Duterte's current legal issues are due to laws enforceable by the ICC, not Philippine laws. The ICC has been investigating Duterte's alleged involvement in killings during his time as mayor of Davao City and as president. The charges include accusations of extrajudicial killings, which have attracted widespread criticism from human rights organizations and the international community.

Enrile emphasized that it was incorrect to hold the government accountable for Duterte's legal situation, pointing out that the investigation and arrest order originated from the ICC and not from domestic laws. He advised Duterte's legal team to obtain a copy of the charges filed by the ICC to better understand the reasons behind the arrest order.

The government previously announced it would not cooperate with the ICC investigation against Duterte, citing the Philippines' withdrawal from the Statute in 2018. However, it acknowledged the country's obligation to comply with Interpol's requests.