Statement of Malacañang on Remarks of Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte
Malacañang reacted to the remarks of Davao City 1st District Congressman Paolo Duterte over his father’s arrest and the transfer of his custody to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague for 7 months now. It was last March 11 when he was arrested by the Philippine authorities who assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Duterte is faced with three (3) counts of murder as alleged “crimes against humanity” filed by the ICC prosecutors. In August, the Duterte camp renewed their appeal for the interim release of the former President.
The confirmation of charges hearing of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was postponed after his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, claimed that his client is supposedly “not fit to stand trial”. He claimed that Duterte is allegedly suffering from a ‘cognitive impairment’.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, a “third country” committed to host the interim release of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. While she did not disclose which country is willing to accept her father for his interim, she clarified that it is not Australia nor Japan.
However, recently, the Duterte family received a news that is unfavorable to them — the International Criminal Court denied the interim release plea of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. It was a unanimous decision from the three (3) ICC judges who cited that the continued detention of the former President is necessary.
Following the denial of the interim release plea of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte issued a threat that he will make sure that the people who arrested his father will pay. He stressed that what was done to the former President will allegedly help him in becoming a martyr and will grow the people’s love for his father even more. Malacañang reacted to the claim of the younger Duterte.
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters that we should not be living in threats. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Palace official stressed that we are living in a civilized society.
“Hindi po dapat tayo mabuhay sa mga pagbabanta. Tayo po ay nasa sinasabing civilized society,” the Malacañang press official said.
Atty. Claire Castro further stressed that we are not living in a “barbaric world”. Based on the report, the Malacañang press official emphasized that we should act on the rule of law and should not always be scared or living in warnings.
The Malacañang press official further said that the Marcos Jr. administration has nothing to do with the case that former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is facing before the ICC. Previously, Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte claimed that “Trililing” was allegedly sent by the Philippine government for a “welfare check” on his father.