Manila, March 20 -- National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano on Thursday denied any involvement in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, refuting claims that he was part of a supposed core group that orchestrated the operation.

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ano called accusations linking him to a "grand conspiracy" as "unacceptable and unfair", and firmly rejected any suggestion that he played a key role in Duterte's arrest.

He said his role was strictly limited to his mandate - - ensuring the situation did not escalate into a national security concern, and emphasized that the implementation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant was beyond his jurisdiction.

"I had no part in the execution...