Supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Saturday, March 15, to rally for his release from detention under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Clad in green and white, many participants carried banners showcasing their support, while others held placards promoting messages of unity and justice.
During the prayer rally, Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pointing to his previous public position about working with the ICC.
“President Marcos always said that they don’t recognize the ICC because we are no longer a member. We don’t coordinate with the ICC. What did President Bongbong Marcos do? (He turned to the) Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization),” Dela Rosa said in Tagalog.
The senator challenged the authority of the Interpol in enforcing the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Duterte. He insisted falsely that it lacks jurisdiction even as the Supreme Court already ruled in 2021 that the Philippines is obliged to work with the ICC during the periods when it was a State Party.
“That (arrest warrant) did not come from a competent authority. It did not emanate from our local (court). We do not recognize it because we are not under them. We must, therefore, unite,” Dela Rosa told their supporters.
Dela Rosa was a central figure in the bloody war on drugs or operation ‘tokhang’ of the former president, having served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 2016 to 2018 and City Director of the Davao City Police from 2012 to 2013.
“I became Chief of the PNP. I know what role Interpol plays in this world. Don’t fool me. What commitment with the Interpol?” he exclaimed.
Organizers said the event aimed to pray for the country’s peace and stability amid current political and social issues. Lawyer Kaye Laurente of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) encouraged their supporters to refrain from discriminating against people from other religions at the moment.
“All of us, no matter which religion, there is no discrimination right now. Let’s unite,” she said.
Folk singer Freddie Aguilar said he went “sleepless” because of the recent turn of events. He called the arrest of Duterte an “act of betrayal,” echoing the spin of fellow supporters. Malacañang has firmly rejected such a claim, citing the Philippines’ responsibility to uphold international law.
President Marcos earlier defended the government’s role in the arrest of Duterte, saying this was made in compliance with the country’s commitments with the Interpol.
“Interpol asked for help and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill. If we don’t do that, they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,” the President said.
Duterte was arrested by police officers on Tuesday morning acting on a warrant from the ICC over his war on drugs, shortly after he arrived in the Philippines from Hong Kong. The 79-year-old strongman faces a charge of “the crime against humanity of murder,” according to the ICC.