Francis Tolentino Urges Support for Duterte Amid Arrest
FRANCIS TOLENTINO – The senator shared his thoughts on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a video interview dated March 13, he was asked about his perspective as a Filipino regarding the situation. He expressed sadness, knowing that Duterte had been taken to another country for prosecution and possible judgment.
Tolentino also raised concerns about Duterte’s age and health, emphasizing the importance of treating him humanely and with respect. As a senator, he maintained that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
However, since Duterte is already facing the ICC, Tolentino stressed the need for thorough legal preparation. He also urged the Philippine embassy to provide all necessary assistance to Duterte while he remains in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the ICC has identified nine individuals as co-perpetrators in Duterte’s controversial war on drugs. This information was disclosed in an arrest warrant application made public on the ICC’s website, though the names were redacted for security reasons. However, some figures were identified, including Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief who led “Oplan Tokhang.” Vice President Sara Duterte was also mentioned due to her connection with her father, having served as Davao City mayor while Duterte was vice mayor.
The ICC’s case is supported by various forms of evidence, including witness testimonies, Duterte’s speeches, official government documents, and the drug watch list. The application highlights Duterte’s past public statements, such as his admission of killing 1,700 people as mayor and his alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad. It also references his 2016 presidential inauguration speech, where he warned of executing drug offenders.
Lawyers representing drug war victims are handling 6,000 cases, but only 43 will be presented before the ICC—19 from Duterte’s mayoral tenure and 24 from his presidency. Attorney Gilbert Andres explained that presenting all recorded deaths would be impractical, so prosecutors selected cases that best illustrate the brutality of the drug war.