Spokesperson of ICC Tells Public To Respect the Process in Duterte’s Trial
ICC — International Criminal Court spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said the rallies and the fake information cannot distract them in the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The arrest of former Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte gained different reactions from the Filipinos. Undeniably, it has split the supporters of the Dutertes and the Marcoses who once joined forces under the platform of unity by the BBM-Sara tandem. Countless Filipinos were shocked by the arrest of Duterte.
The Philippine National Police implemented the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Manila last March 11. He just arrived from Hong Kong when the PNP implemented the arrest.
Amid the questions and criticisms from the Duterte supporters, Malacañang defended President Bongbong Marcos saying he did not betray anyone in Duterte’s arrest. According to the Palace, the government only performed its job and acted on its commitment with the Interpol.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is under a regular detention in The Hague, Netherlands now. He was in the hospital wing of the Hague Penitentiary Institution for several days as he was monitored but VP Sara confirmed that her father was released from the hospital wing.
Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the transfer of his custody to the ICC, a lot of Filipinos often flock outside the court to show support to the former President. There are also calls for the pushing through of the trial.
In the Philippines, the Duterte supporters have established gatherings and rallies to call on the government and the Supreme Court to return his return to the country. There were also reported incidents of Duterte supporters spamming the social media accounts of an ICC judge.
Recently, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah spoke on the rallies and demonstrations of support or opposition against the trial of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, Abdallah stressed that they will not be distracted by it.
“We do not consider that this should be something that would be kind of distracting our focus from what we have to do,” the ICC spokesman said.
Based on the report, Abdallah also confirmed that they are aware of the disinformation and the satire posts on social media against the judges. Despite it, he stressed that they are focused in their pursuit to deliver justice to the victims and to reveal the guilt or innocence of the accused.
The ICC spokesperson emphasized that the judges’ decision is solely based on what the prosecution and the defense teams will present to them. He stressed that they are not taking into consideration other elements that are not part of the files submitted to them.
“So this type of action is showing support to certain suspects, but it’s not part of the findings before the judges,” he said.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Many Filipinos in Netherlands gathered outside the ICC on the day of his birthday. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte asked for prayers for her father on his birthday.