A rally in Saipan supported former President Rodrigo Duterte’s return from the ICC, attracting over 250 supporters. Organizers criticized the charges against him, while opponents argued for accountability for actions taken during his presidency, emphasizing issues of justice and sovereignty.
A rally held last Friday in Saipan garnered support for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, calling for his safe return to the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. Organised by Marie Zayko and Roderick Lopez, the event attracted over 250 attendees and served as a celebration of Duterte’s birthday. Zayko stated, “This is in support for Duterte (also known as Tatay Digong) who right now is in the Netherlands because of Bong Bong Marcos (Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr).”
Lopez expressed gratitude to the attendees and promised the rally would not be the last. He urged the Marcos administration to act in favor of the Filipino people, saying, “To our friends here supporting President Duterte, we just keep praying so that we can bring him home to the Philippines… please do the right thing for the people of the Philippines.”
Zayko reiterated her call for Duterte’s return and requested the ICC in The Hague to release him. She emphasized the positive impact Duterte had on the public, stating, “My message to ICC: Duterte is a good president. Please, he helped a lot of people. So much people that he helped, please release him.”
Lopez claimed Duterte’s arrest by the ICC constituted illegal detention, arguing that the Philippines has not been a member of the ICC since 2019. This follows an ICC warrant issued last March that accused Duterte of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial drug war.
Supporters Joven Merin and Jerry Soriano shared their sentiments regarding Duterte’s significance to the Filipino people. Merin recounted his experience as a volunteer, saying, “I want to thank to President Rodrigo Duterte because I supported him when [I was a] former volunteer in the Tukhang.”
Sovereignty issues were raised by supporters like Romeo Malasarte, who cautioned against the implications of a former president being arrested based on an ICC warrant. He remarked, “This is no longer about being pro or anti-Duterte – this is about standing up for the dignity of every Filipino.”
Conversely, critics of Duterte on Saipan maintained that the ICC acted rightfully in his arrest due to accusations of crimes against humanity. Joselito Espino highlighted the injustices faced by victims of Duterte’s policies, stating, “We need justice for all the victims of extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s time in office.”
Lastly, Darwin Gonzales argued that Duterte’s arrest was a justified action, noting that all processes were respected. He concluded, “At the end of the day, at least Duterte will be given the right to defend himself in a court of law,” reinforcing the importance of due process.
The rally in Saipan for Rodrigo Duterte highlighted significant divisions regarding his legacy and the ICC’s involvement in his legal matters. Supporters called for his release, emphasizing his contributions as president, while critics underscored the accountability owed to victims of his policies. This event underscores the broader implications of Duterte’s legal status, reflecting the ongoing debate about justice, sovereignty, and the rule of law in the Philippines.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
