Stay calm, public exhorted amid Duterte arrest
SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has urged the public to exercise restraint and respect following the peaceful arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte under an Interpol warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Escudero emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law while ensuring that Duterte is afforded due process.
“The peaceful and orderly service of the Interpol warrant—carried out without incident—reflects our nation’s commitment to upholding international agreements, as well as the maturity, civility, calm, and professionalism of all those involved: our law enforcement authorities, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, his lawyers, and his supporters,” Escudero stated.
Duterte was arrested upon his return to Manila from Hong Kong on March 11
The ICC warrant is based on allegations of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
While official government figures place the number of fatalities at over 6,000, human rights groups argue the true number is significantly higher.
Escudero underscored the importance of adhering to legal principles and international commitments.
“As this legal process unfolds, we expect the International Criminal Court (ICC) to respect the rights of former President Duterte and to ensure that he is afforded due process in accordance with the Rule of Law,” he said.
Acknowledging the polarizing nature of the issue, Escudero recognized the diverse reactions from different sectors.
“This development will undoubtedly elicit diverse reactions shaped by differing perspectives on the allegations against the former president, from the families of victims of extra-judicial killings to his loyal supporters,” he noted.
With the midterm elections approaching, Escudero also warned against political opportunism in the wake of Duterte’s arrest.
“I also call on those running in the midterm elections to refrain from using this issue to fan the flames of partisanship in order to further their candidacies as this is a serious issue that involves lives and should not be trifled with for petty personal or political gain,” he stated.
He called for national unity amid the unfolding legal proceedings, emphasizing that the country’s strength lies in its ability to move forward collectively.
“It is in our nation’s best interests to demonstrate our strength not by division, but by our capacity to rise above our differences and to collectively and peacefully uphold justice and accountability,” he said.
Duterte’s arrest marks a historic moment, making him the first Asian former head of state to be detained under an ICC warrant.
His administration withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 following the initiation of an inquiry into his drug war policies.
Despite this, the ICC has maintained jurisdiction over cases that occurred while the country was still a member.
As the former president faces trial in The Hague, Escudero’s call for restraint highlights the delicate balance between justice and national stability.
