Spokesperson of ICC Speaks on Duterte’s Trial amid Rallies, Fake Information Online
ICC – The International Criminal Court called on the Filipinos to “respect the process” on the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
A few months after former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte dared the International Criminal Court to speed up in coming to the Philippines to investigate him, the former President was arrested in Manila last March 11. On the same day he was arrested, Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is now under a regular detention in the Hague Penitentiary Institution. Duterte even liked his detention place into a “hotel”. According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, her father was released from the hospital wing of the detention facility and is now feeling better.
However, VP Sara also admitted that their struggle is with regards to the Coke Zero intake of former Pres. Duterte. He wants at least two (2) cans of Coke Zero daily citing he eats at least three times a day. Ever since, the former President is really into drinking soda.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte did not sit well with countless Filipinos most especially his die-hard supporters. There are countless people who call on the government and the Supreme Court to order the homecoming of the former President.
Malacañang stressed that Duterte’s arrest is surrendering a Filipino citizen accused of crimes. The Palace stressed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos did not commit any betrayal and the government only did its job. Both the Palace and Marcos stressed that the government acted on the arrest in lieu of its commitment with the Interpol.
The Duterte supporters have held several gatherings as they call for the return of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. There are also a lot of Filipino supporters of the former President in Netherlands who visit the ICC or stay outside in support for the former President.
Recently, the International Criminal Court broke its silence on the rallies organized against and in support of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah stressed that the rallies won’t distract the foreign court from doing what they have to do.
“We do not consider that this should be something that would be kind of distracting our focus from what we have to do which is our core tasks and core responsibility,” Abdallah said.
The ICC Spokesman also affirmed that they are aware of the disinformation and the satire posts regarding Duterte’s trial. Meanwhile, according to him, they trust that there are people who see and show the objective nature of the process. He stressed that their main focus is in delivering justice to the victims and revealing the truth about the accused.
“We have to understand that the judges can only decide based on what is presented before them… They are not taking into account any other elements that are not in the files before them,” the ICC spokesman said.
Based on the report, Fadi El Abdallah stressed that the actions showing support to former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is “not part of the findings before the judges”. He stressed the people should respect the process and the rights of both the victims and the accused.
“We have to respect the process. It’s not about being passionate. It’s about being objective and impartial and applying the law and checking the evidence thoroughly,” he expressed.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Malacañang also released a birthday message for Duterte amid the criticisms from his supporters.