Statement of Malacañang on Arrested Duterte Supporters in Qatar
MALACAÑANG – The Palace vowed that the Philippine government will help the arrested supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Qatar.
For a rare time, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte celebrated his birthday away from Davao. The former President is currently detained in the Hague Penitentiary Institution after he was arrested due to the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Undeniably, the unexpected turn of events earned Malacañang and Pres. Bongbong Marcos countless criticisms.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos stressed that Duterte’s arrest followed the legal process. Malacañang also defended Marcos Jr. from “betrayal” accusations saying that the Chief Executive did not betray anyone and the government only did its job.
Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte immediately flew to The Hague, Netherlands to support her father. His common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, and Kitty Duterte also arrived in The Hague a few days before the former President celebrated his 80th birthday last March 28.
Honeylet and Kitty were able to personally visit the former President inside the ICC detention facility. As he turned 80, countless Duterte supporters rallied on the different streets in the country calling for the return of the former President to the Philippines.
Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who support Duterte also had public demonstrations of their support for the former President. However, it was confirmed by the Philippine authorities that 20 OFWs in Qatar were arrested by the authorities abroad for showing public demonstrations of their support for the former President.
Based on a report on Inquirer, Malacañang vowed that they will help the arrested Duterte supporters in Qatar. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that the government immediately sent a lawyer and a Labor Attaché to assist the arrested Pinoys. They were also sent care packages.
“It is still the obligation of our government, of the administration, to assist Filipinos, regardless of their background. We do not discriminate; there is no favoritism,” the press officer of Malacañang said during a conference at the palace.
Based on the report, Castro further expressed that the government will help them as long as they are Filipinos. With regards to the bid of Duterte for interim release as his legal counsel recently confirmed, the Palace said that they will maintain their ground of not recognizing the ICC jurisdiction in the country.