Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo urged Filipinos to embody the bravery of national heroes in opposing what he termed as a betrayal of sovereignty and justice, the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Panelo described Duterte’s detention as a “global injustice,” calling on supporters to “compel his triumphant return.” He emphasized the need to confront internal adversaries:
This will mean confronting the oppressors who lurk within our own gates: those who wield the powers of government not to uplift, but to betray; those who with calculated ambition, sell out our sovereignty, and turn their backs on the very citizens they swore to serve and protect,all for political gain and the hollow glitter of power.
Duterte’s arrest has ignited a firestorm of debate. Supporters argue that the ICC lacks jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2018.
Conversely, the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, up until its withdrawal.
The former president faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s aggressive war on drugs, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
Government records acknowledge at least 6,000 fatalities, while human rights groups claim the number exceeds 20,000.
Panelo’s call to action underscores the deep divisions within the nation regarding Duterte’s legacy and the broader implications of international intervention in domestic affairs.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Philippines stands at a crossroads, grappling with questions of sovereignty, justice, and the enduring impact of Duterte’s policies.
