Cory grandson frowns on calls for people power

MANILA, Philippines —  Loyalists of former president Rodrigo Duterte invoking the people power revolution have hollow principles, according to the grandson of democracy stalwarts Corazon and Ninoy Aquino.

“They invoked people power, which they had ignored during Duterte’s term, for their own interests,” Kiko Aquino Dee yesterday told The STAR.

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is hoping to replicate the 1986 peaceful revolt that toppled President Marcos’ father, dictator Ferdinand Marcos, after two decades in power.

Dee has urged the President to acknowledge the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over Duterte and rejoin the tribunal after the country withdrew six years ago during Duterte’s term.

Meanwhile, former presidential peace adviser Teresita Quintos Deles, who served during the second Aquino presidency, has called on the public not to forget the plight of drug war victims.

Malacañang yesterday also slammed supporters of Duterte after they urged the public to hold anti-government protests along EDSA following his arrest and turnover to the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity.

“Isn’t this an attempt to overthrow the government?” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

“First, there is a warrant of arrest. Second, a case has been filed. Third, there are alleged victims who will talk about the case. This is not a fabricated tale. There are victims. This is not about planting evidence. The case did not come from the Philippines. This is a case pending before the ICC,” she noted.

Describing Duterte’s arrest as unconstitutional, Roque – who is reportedly hiding in Dubai – on Tuesday encouraged Duterte loyalists to hold rallies.

The public should be made aware of the reasons behind Duterte’s arrest for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from his bloody war on drugs, Castro said.

Duterte had dared critics to sue him for his drug war, which reportedly claimed the lives of more than 6,000 drug suspects, Castro recalled.

“Why cry now when we are just implementing what is in the law?” she asked.

President Marcos on Tuesday said Duterte’s arrest had nothing to do with politics.

Rumors baseless

Reiterating that military adventurism was a thing of the past, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday reassured the public that rumors or talks of unrest among its ranks are baseless following Duterte’s arrest.

“Speculations of military action or unrest have no basis. We remain solid and professional, unequivocally committed to the chain of command and democratic institutions of the Philippines,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

The military is monitoring the situation and is prepared to ensure peace and order, she noted.

“The arrest of (Duterte) is a matter of law enforcement and therefore outside the AFP’s direct purview. The AFP remains strictly professional and non-partisan,” she maintained.

Amid rumors of mass protests, Padilla said the AFP is urging Filipinos to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido has given assurance that Army officials and soldiers “remain professional and we follow the chain of command.”

Police on alert

After Duterte was flown to The Hague in the Netherlands to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has shifted its sights on possible mass actions by his disgruntled supporters.

The PNP on Tuesday went on heightened alert nationwide at around 5 p.m., hours after Duterte was apprehended upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the PNP is “fully prepared to respond to any developments.”

Areas under heightened alert include the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City, Liwasang Bonifacio and the US embassy, Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin noted.

A police contingent was deployed at the Supreme Court where Duterte’s allies filed a petition to compel the government to bring Duterte back to the country, Aberin said.

The situation in Metro Manila remains “peaceful,” police said.

About 599 civil disturbance management personnel were deployed to the EDSA Shrine and People Power Monument in Quezon City and the US embassy and Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila, Metro Manila police spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told The STAR. – EJ Macababbad, Michael Punongbayan, Emmanuel Tupas, Roel Pareño