The underground revolutionary Left hailed the arrest by former President Rodrigo Duterte as a “significant victory” for the Filipino people.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said the Filipino people have long clamored for justice and retribution for Duterte’s countless crimes during his six-year reign of terror as president, and more as mayor of Davao City.
“We join the Filipino people in their push to have Duterte stand trial before the ICC (International Criminal Court) without delay,” CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said.
“It (the arrest) affirms what the people have long known – that Duterte is a mass murderer who must be held accountable for his crimes,” the NDFP International Office in a separate statement said.
The NDFP pointed out that while ICC’s investigations focused on Duterte’s bloody war on drugs that killed thousands, his crimes extend to his “systematic killing” of peace consultants, as well as aerial bombings of civilian communities and torture and execution of hors de combat New People’s Army fighters.
Duterte was arrested by Philippine police by virtue of a March 7 warrant by the ICC with the help of the Interpol.
READ: ICC arrests Duterte; progressives rejoice
Duterte arrives at The Hague
Meanwhile, Philippine consular officials in The Hague, The Netherlands confirmed that Duterte had arrived and had been turned over to the Cooperation Unit of the Office of Registry of the ICC Thursday evening.
The officials took pains to point out they “prepared, procured and delivered winter clothing, change of clothes and care packages for Duterte.”
The Embassy officials also reported that Duterte’s accompanying nurse and aide were given two-day visas by the Dutch authorities “to enable them to rest and recover for their return flight.”
Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was also issued a 15-day visa as counsel of Duterte.
Medialdea has been granted permission to visit the former President today, Thursday, at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, the Embassy officials said.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte are en route to The Hague to visit their father. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
