Limited role in Duterte arrest — Defense dep’t

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they just provided operational support to the police in the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The Department of National Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have no law enforcement mandate," the statement on March 20 read. “Our role is to support the Philippine National Police when asked for assistance. Once that request is fulfilled, our jurisdiction ends."

It said the PNP has the authority to request military support when necessary.

During a Senate hearing on Thursday, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the AFP for its silence in her father's arrest, especially when he was detained under what she described as “questionable circumstances.”

"Why did the AFP stand idly by when a former commander in chief was taken from a military base under questionable circumstances?" she said during her virtual participation in the Senate committee on foreign relations hearing.