‘Releasing Duterte endangers victims’ families’

MANILA, Philippines — A delegation of human rights activists is in Geneva, Switzerland to amplify drug war victims’ fight for justice as former president Rodrigo Duterte filed a petition for interim release before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Granting Duterte temporary liberty would endanger victims’ families and escalate political tension in the Philippines, Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay warned.

“The Dutertes have been unleashing their influence to frustrate all attempts of victims and their families to seek justice and accountability,” said Mervin Toquero, deputy general secretary of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines.

Palabay and Toquero are co-heads of the Philippine Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Watch, comprised of progressive groups that will participate in the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 59th session this week.

“The UN Human Rights Council is a platform for civil society organizations to bring to the attention of the international community the continuing fight for justice of families of victims of extrajudicial killings and the war on drugs,” Palabay noted.

Members of the Philippine UPR Watch include National Union of People’s Lawyers secretary general Josalee Deinla, Ibon Foundation executive director Sonny Africa, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment spokesperson Jonila Castro, Defend Southern Tagalog spokesperson Charmane Maranan and United Church of Christ in the Philippines general secretary Bishop Joseph Agpaoa.

‘Not a threat’

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Monday asked for prayers for his father’s return to the Philippines.

“He is weak and old. His only dream right now is to return to his country and be with his family. He is no longer a threat to the presidency as he is legally barred from doing so. Sadly, the very country that he served cannot accept him back because of its leaders who now disown him,” he said.

If the ICC grants the former president’s interim release and transfer to an undisclosed ICC member-state, the 1Sambayan coalition earlier warned countries that hosting him would be a “betrayal” of justice and damage their reputation.

“Never did we hear anything from this group. Neither did we hear anything from them when drug lords and NPA (New People’s Army) insurgents terrorized Filipinos,” Paolo said.

The former president is detained in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity over his bloody drug war that claimed over 6,000 lives.

“Like any other member of the Makabayan bloc, 1Sambayan is a group similarly funded by TAMBANGAG using taxpayers money to fuel his twisted dream that he can still be president in 2028,” Paolo claimed, an apparent dig at the Marcos administration.

Duterte said his father lost more weight while in detention.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said the ICC should allow the interim release of her father, 80, for being a “super senior citizen.” — Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano