Ankara: The top court in the Philippines has ordered government officials to provide a justification within 24 hours for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, questioning why a writ of habeas corpus should not be issued in his case.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Supreme Court's directive comes after a petition was filed by Duterte's son, Rep. Paolo Duterte, on Tuesday. The court decided on Thursday to consolidate this petition with two others submitted by the former president's additional children. The officials required to respond include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juan Victor Remulla, and National Police Chief Major General Rommel Franciso Marbil.

Paolo Duterte has accused these officials of grave abuse of discretion, suggesting they exceeded their jurisdiction by cooperating with the enforcement of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against his father. The petition seeks to nullify the officials' actions and prevent further cooperation with the ICC. It also calls for a writ of habeas corpus to facilitate the former president's release from confinement.

The court's statement highlights its demand for the respondents to justify their actions within the stipulated timeframe, stating, "The court directs respondents in the consolidated petitions to show cause within a non-extendible period of 24 hours from receipt of notice why the peremptory writ of habeas corpus should not issue."

Earlier, the court declined to issue a temporary restraining order requested by Duterte following his arrest and subsequent transportation to The Hague for trial at the ICC. The former president was detained at Manila International Airport on Wednesday upon his return from Hong Kong. He faces charges of "crimes against humanity" related to his controversial "war on drugs," a campaign that allegedly resulted in the extrajudicial killings of thousands of individuals.