The influential church group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) weighed in on the arrest and surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.
“Any Filipino or citizen of our country who has committed a violation of our laws should be tried here in our country. Why? Because our justice system works,” INC spokesperson Bro. Edwin Zabala said in Filipino over NET25 late Friday
“We are not saying that the former president should not be tried for the charges against him. As for us, the Iglesia ni Cristo trusts in the integrity and competence of the judiciary to decide such matters and issues,” he added.
He also recalled the INC’s nationwide Rally for Peace on January 13 where they reiterated their call for “peace, unity, and the need to first address the problems of our country and our countrymen, instead of moves that will only result in conflict and division.”
“What’s sad is that the people in charge didn’t listen to the call of the Iglesia ni Cristo,” said Zabala, referring to the decision of the House of Representatives to proceed with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Meanwhile, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte has told Vice President Sara Duterte that he has surrendered his fate to God, choosing to accept whatever comes his way.
“According to him, the governance in our country is clearly fractured and the people are disgruntled. So, that’s what he said,” Sara said in a mix of English and Filipino during an ambush interview with Philippine media at The Hague on Friday.
“He said, ‘I will leave that all to God… I will leave it all to God all that will happen in my life. So be it,’” she added.
Earlier, the Vice President acknowledged the possibility that her father may no longer be able return to the Philippines.
Clarifying her statement, Sara pointed out that it was about debating the legality of Duterte’s arrest in the Senate, which is now pointless.
While she continues to assert that what happened to her father was an act of “extraordinary rendition” or state-sponsored kidnapping, she emphasized that the only way forward is through the ICC’s legal process.
“What I meant back then is the discussion yesterday at the Senate hearing. They had a discussion if what was done was right, was it wrong, was it illegal, was it not illegal. Like I said, it was an extraordinary rendition,” Sara explained.
“So whatever they debate there, whether it was a kidnapping, it was an extraordinary rendition, it was correct or not correct, they cannot bring him back since he is already inside. They cannot retrieve and return him. The only way he can leave is through the system inside the ICC,” she added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “INC speaks up against Duterte ICC trial.”