NSA denies he is part of ‘core group’ behind Duterte arrest

NTF-ELCAC expresses full support behind Sec. Año’s leadership

On Apr 1, 2025

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo M. Año, reading from his prepared statement during the Senate hearing last March 20, 2025, on the circumstances surrounding the arrest and hasty transport to The Hague of former President Rodrigo Duterte, days previously, on March 11, to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Despite the many attacks against him especially in social media over his alleged complicity in the arrest, the highly-respected and bemedalled former AFP chief remained thru to form and maintain his silence and chose to air his side at the proper forum, the Senate (grab from the video coverage by ANC).

NATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo M. Año, came out as the most credible resource person among the officials of the Marcos administration who attended a Senate probe last March 20 on the circumstances surrounding the questionable ‘arrest’ and the swift extra-judicial rendition to The Hague of former President Rodrigo Duterte to face trial before the International Criminal Court.

During the inquiry spearheaded by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, elder sister of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Secretary Año, the bemedalled and highly-respected former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), explained that his role was limited to the mandate of his office— “ensure that the situation does not escalate into a national security concern.”

“The implementation of the ICC warrant,” he added, “is beyond my mandate and I have no part in it.”

His clarification belies the earlier claim of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, that there was a “core group” in Malacañang that planned how to arrest and immediately transfer the former president to the custody of the ICC on March 11.

In his interview with broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on her program, ‘On Point’ last March 15, Remulla said this core group consisted of him, Sec. Año, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and President Marcos Jr.

Due to this statement from the Interior Secretary during his interview, it was speculated that the arrest of the former president was a “conspiracy” involving top government officials, which Año, also denied.

Among those most vilified, especially in social media, was Año, who was promoted by Duterte to AFP chief and subsequently, as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the post presently being held by Remulla.

“May I also state for the record, that I am not aware of any core group, nor am I a member of such group that allegedly planned and prepared for the arrest of former President Duterte, Año declared.

“In fact, it was only on Tuesday morning, March 11, 2025, that I learned that there was already an INTERPOL Red Notice and that the ICC arrest warrant will be served.

“There was also no intelligence operation. The former president’s presence in Hong Kong, even his return to the country was a public knowledge since it was heavily reported in both mainstream and social media.

“It is utterly unacceptable and unfair that my name is being dragged into an alleged “grand conspiracy.” I firmly deny any allegations of a grand conspiracy. In fact, the events on March 11 were spontaneous.

“As NSA, I was merely doing my job. However, I face all these accusations against my honor and integrity with a firm resolve, knowing that I am on the side of the truth and I was simply doing what I had to do. And In doing so, I upheld the truth, justice, and the rule of

law.

“Again, my loyalty is always to the country, the Constitution, and not to any person,” the NSA explained lengthily.

NTF-ELCAC fully supports NSA

The day the Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened to unravel the details and issues surrounding Duterte’s arrest, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) issued a statement fully supporting Secretary Año.

“Secretary Año has dedicated over four decades to public service and consistently upheld the Constitution and demonstrated unwavering allegiance to the chain of command across multiple administrations.

“In the task force, his guidance has been instrumental in advancing our mission to eradicate local communist armed conflict and promote lasting peace in the Philippines.

“His strategic vision continues to be pivotal in implementing our whole-of-nation approach that fosters collaboration among various sectors to address the root causes of conflict.

“We are hopeful that his clarification today has emphasized that his singular role was ensuring that the situation did not escalate into a national security concern.

“Even so, we are ever vigilant of the developing situation, especially as the enemies of democracy will capitalize on the confusion to sow further division among the people and our government,” said Undersecretary Ernesto ‘Jun’ Torres, NTF-ELCAC executive director.

NTF ELCAC.