SHOW CAN GO ON
THERE is no directive to stop any activities to celebrate the 80th birthday of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said yesterday.
“Wala pong kautusan na pumigil sa anumang gagawing pagtitipon, dahil ito po ay constitutional right ng bawat Filipino,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told Palace reporters, when asked if there is an effort to stop the activities that will be organized by Duterte’s supporters for his birthday.
Castro said only the pro-Duterte groups will hold activities for Duterte’s birthday on March 28.
“But with regard to the administration, we do not have any activity to celebrate the birthday,” she said.
Castro reminded those who would participate in the massive gathering on Duterte’s birthday to be careful in their actions and avoid sowing hatred against the government.
She said Duterte supporters should also know their limitations.
“Huwag lamang po silang lalagpas at maituturing na ang kanilang mga ginagawa ay labag na po sa batas … In other words, ingat,” she said.
“Kapag sumigaw na ibagsak ang gobyerno, isa iyan. Kapag nagpatuloy ng pananalita, para to sow fear, i-promote pa iyong hatred sa government, bordering the line of inciting to sedition. Dapat alam po nila iyan. Dahil sila naman po ay pinamumunuan ng kanilang mga leaders, so dapat alam nila ang kanilang limitasyon. Ang bawat responsibilidad ay may kaakibat na obligasyon,” Castro added.
Duterte marked his 80th birthday at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands.
He was the subject of an arrest warrant by the ICC over the alleged crimes against humanity committed due to his drug war carried out between Nov. 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
Castro wished Duterte “more years to come, good health, [and] good fortune.”
She said there is no divisiveness, despite the conduct of activities for Duterte’s birthday, including the anti-Duterte gatherings.
“Tama naman po, siguro, dapat malaman din po ng buong mundo na hindi lamang po ang interes ng dating Pangulong Duterte ang marinig, pati po iyong interes ng mga nabiktima ang dapat marinig ng buong mundo,” she said.
“Hindi po natin masasabing divisive ito, dahil sila ay nagsasabi lang ng kanilang hinaing, ng kanilang mga sentiments, ng kanilang mga opinyon at divisive.” Philippine News Agency
