‘Don’t turn Duterte arrest into election issue’

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates in the coming midterm elections should refrain from using as an election issue the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, Senate President Francis Escudero said yesterday.

“Debate and disagreement are natural in a democracy, but as we move forward, I urge our kababayans to approach this moment with the restraint and respect displayed yesterday by the protagonists from both sides,” Escudero said.

“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,” the Senate President added.

Duterte was flown to The Hague Wednesday morning after his arrest on Tuesday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

“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 Duterte, his lawyers and his supporters,” Escudero said.

“As this legal process unfolds, we expect the International Criminal Court 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 added.

Escudero admitted that the development would trigger strong reactions from supporters of  the former president and from the families of victims of extrajudicial killings.

“It is in our nation’s best interest 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.

For former senator Panfilo Lacson, Duterte is entitled to assistance from the government despite the latter’s falling out with the Marcos administration.

“More than being a former president, Duterte is a Filipino who will face trial before an international court,” Lacson said. “Our government must not lose sight of its obligation, as a matter of policy, to extend support to all Filipinos, as we consistently do – even to those already convicted and facing executions beyond our jurisdiction.”

Forgiveness not too late

As he is about to face the ICC to answer for his crimes, Duterte may still obtain forgiveness if he admits his guilt during his trial, according to activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes.

Reyes, also known as the “running priest,” raised the possibility of forgiveness for the former president in his homily during mass at the EDSA Shrine, organized by the Clergy for Good Governance in solidarity with victims of extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration.

“It is not too late to seek forgiveness. You should acknowledge your sins. Do not lie to the ICC,” Reyes said, addressing Duterte. “Your soul needs renewal,” he said.

“Do not pretend that you were not responsible for the drug war, as your sins against the people and God are immense,” he said.

He added the arrest of Duterte by members of the Philippine National Police was “poetic justice.”

“The police force that Duterte commanded to kill, kill, kill are the ones who arrested him – the same man who shattered their honor, undermined their principles and debased their commitment to protect the weak and vulnerable,” Reyes said.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front (NDF) lauded the arrest of Duterte, calling it a victory for the people.

“His regime carried out the systematic killing of NDF peace consultants, aerial bombings of civilian communities and the torture and execution of captured Red fighters,” the NDF said in a statement.

But the NDF said President Marcos should also be held accountable for violation of international humanitarian law.

Early in his presidency, Duterte professed alliance with communist rebels.

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, for its part, said the former president should not play victim with his arrest, as it was the people who were the real victims of abuses by his administration. “It’s the people who are fighting for justice,” said Bayan president Renato Reyes.

In Negros Occidental, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez called on the people to trust government institutions in carrying out their responsibilities with fairness and impartiality.

He made the call as the local PDP-Laban announced it was organizing mass actions to protest the arrest of Duterte.

“Moments like this remind us of the fundamental principles that uphold our democracy: respect for human rights, due process and the rule of law,” said Benitez, who also chairs the Negros Association of Chief Executives.

“We call on our fellow Negrosanons to remain engaged, but also focused on the bigger picture. Let us channel our energies into meaningful dialogue and collective action, ensuring that our province continues to move forward,” he added.

Former mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, a gubernatorial candidate who chairs the PDP Negros Island Region, said party leaders were meeting to sustain mass actions, including “sympathy gatherings” in support of Duterte.

“We have to have sustained protest actions,” Palanca said. “This is no longer a concern of PDP. This is a concern of the Filipino people.” – EJ Macababbad, Emmanuel Tupas, Gilbert Bayoran