Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Gives Message for his Supporters amid ICC Detention
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The former Philippine President called on his supporters not to meddle in his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
For more than a week now, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained in the Hague Penitentiary Institution. The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Duterte over the accusations against the former Philippine President regarding his war on drugs campaign.
Duterte was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) last March 11 and was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai on the same day that he was arrested. Following the unexpected turn of events, Duterte supporters rallied on the streets as they call for the return of the former President.
In The Hague, there are also a lot of Filipinos who gather outside the ICC to show their support for the former President. However, the ICC clarified that any demonstrations like rallies won’t affect Duterte’s trial and the decision of the judges.
Amid the strong demonstrations held by the supporters of the former President to show their support to FPRRD, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte called on his supporters not to meddle in the ICC trial proceedings. Based on a report on PhilStar, the message of the former President was relayed by his daughter, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
“Let us leave the matter to the lawyers and to the court which will decide on the case,” he said.
Based on the report, the Vice President relayed the message of FPRRD to the supporters of her father gathered outside the ICC detention facility. The confirmation of charges of the former President is scheduled on September 23.
It is still unclear if the camp of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte will apply for an interim release which would require the coordination of the Philippine government to the foreign court. However, Malacañang previously said that it will remain to not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over Duterte’s possible interim release bid.
Amid the detention of the former President, Duterte’s former presidential spokesman and legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, expressed his belief that if Duterte will die during detention, it can lead to VP Sara’s presidency.