Once again: What ‘kidnapping’?

From that fateful day in March this year when former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by authorities on the strength of an International Criminal Court warrant, then flown to The Hague, Netherlands to stand trial for crimes against humanity for his brutal drug war, the Duterte camp’s main talking points have been consistent: The arrest was illegal, the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, and Duterte’s handover toa foreign court was a kidnapping.

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As late as last month, Vice President Sara Duterte was still spouting that core propaganda line by her family and supporters: The elder Duterte was “kidnapped” and subjected to “extraordinary rendition.’ Never mind that fora “kidnapping.” Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest was a most extraordinary one. It was backed by a valid warrant from the ICC, and served by the International Criminal Police Organization. Every minute of Duterte’s detention at Villamor Air Base upon his arrival from a Hong Kong rally with OFWs was documented by cell phone cameras, from negotiations with his lawyers to scuffles with police officers involving his common-law pa