The families of Rodrigo Duterte’s drug-related killings rejoiced at the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to keep the former president in jail.
As the ICC verdict was read at The Hague on Friday evening, members of the Rise Up for Life and for Rights gathered at a watch party in Quezon City erupted in joy at the rejection of Duterte’s appeal for interim release.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Appeals Chamber sa pakikinig sa aming panaghoy para sa hustisya. Dapat manatili sa kulungan si Duterte habang dinidinig ang kaso laban sa kanya,” Llore Pasco, who lost two sons, said.
The ICC Appeals Chamber unanimously rejected Duterte’s appeal and confirmed the September 26 decision of the tribunal’s Pre-Trial Chamber against his interim release.
Duterte’s camp argued that the Pre-Trial Chamber erroneously found that he poses a risk, that it erred in its rejection of the guarantees proposed by the State willing to receive him, and that it failed to take into account humanitarian considerations in assessing his right to interim release.
The Chamber said Duterte’s detention remained necessary as per the Rome Statute and that the conditions for release proposed were not sufficient to mitigate the risks of flight and possible disruptions to the upcoming trial.
The Pre-Trial Chamber also rejected the Defence’s argument that Mr Duterte should be released for humanitarian reasons.
Dahlia Cuartero, a mother of a war on drugs victim, said after the presentation that Duterte’s continuing detention minimizes the risks to their safety and security.
“Ngayon ngang nakakulong siya ay patuloy ang harassment na nararanasan namin at ng aming mga taga-suporta mula sa DDS supporters. Nagpapakalat sila ng mga pekeng impormasyon, binabansagan kaming sinungaling, pamilya ng mga adik at kung ano-ano pang masasakit na salita. Gusto nilang tumigil kami sa paggigiit ng hustiya,” she said.
Both mothers said trolls have hounded families of victims of drug-related killings.
Their lawyers and supporters also suffered false accusations and all sorts of verbal abuse were hurled against them, adding to their emotional and mental burden, they revealed.
“Kahit paano, makakahinga kami habang nasa piitan si Duterte. Nabawasan kahit kaunti ang aming anxiety dahil sa desisyon ng ICC,” Pasco added.
Deaconess Rubylin G. Litao, coordinator of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, said that the Appeals Chamber decision boosts the morale of the families and their supporters. “
We hope too that this decision will weaken the ferocious aggression of Duterte supporters against those who seek accountability,” she said.
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Rights groups KARAPATAN and HUSTISYA (Victims United for Justice) also welcomed the ICC rejection, saying the decision brings a measure of certainty for justice at the ICC.
“The victims have already waited far too long for Duterte’s trial to begin. With the Appeals Chamber upholding the denial of interim release, the hearing on confirmation of charges against Duterte should immediately commence. No more delays!” said KARAPATAN Secretary General Cristina Palabay.
“It does not mean the struggle is over, but it keeps the path open, and the victims have that degree of assurance that Duterte is in prison,” Palabay added.
Duterte’s family meanwhile said it accepts the rejection of their father’s appeal “with peaceful hearts.”
“We will continue to work with the defense team on the case and will keep on supporting Former President Rodrigo Duterte with our daily conversations. We thank everyone who prayed with us today,” they said.
Duterte is detained at the United Nations Detention Unit, also known as the Scheveningen Prison, at The Hague in The Netherlands since his arrest in Manila last March. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
