According to the Philippine GMA News Network on the 12th, former Philippine President Duterte was chartered to The Hague, the headquarters of the International Criminal Court, in the early morning of the 13th. On the 11th, the Philippine police detained him based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Duterte's daughter, Philippine Vice President Sarah, set off for The Hague, Netherlands on the 12th to cheer on her father. Currently, tensions are brewing within the Philippines regarding Duterte's arrest and upcoming trial.
According to the Daily Inquirer of the Philippines on the 12th, after Duterte's chartered flight arrives in The Hague, he will be taken to the detention center of the International Criminal Court to prepare for his trial before the court judges. The International Criminal Court stipulates that all suspect "shall be tried by the Pre Trial Chamber immediately after arriving at the Court". The purpose of pre-trial is to verify the identity of the suspect and inform him of the alleged crime. At the end of the hearing, the judge confirms the charges and sends the defendant to the trial chamber, or expresses the need for the prosecution to provide more evidence, modify the charges, or completely withdraw the charges. Once the charges are confirmed, the International Criminal Court will establish a Trial Chamber to conduct the trial.
On the 12th, the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines announced that Vice President Sarah departed from Manila at 7:40 am and flew to the Netherlands. Sarah announced late at night on the 11th that she will follow her father to The Hague to attend the trial of the International Criminal Court. She also said that the current Philippine government's detention of her father based on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court is a blatant insult to Philippine sovereignty. Sarah also claimed that her father was kidnapped by the government.
On the 12th, the Philippine Presidential Press Office refuted that the kidnapping was an unauthorized and forced removal, and the Philippine government has an arrest warrant. Regarding Duterte's anti drug war, the Philippine Presidential Press Office stated that excessive violence and extrajudicial executions should never be part of government policy. Although Duterte has been arrested and sent to The Hague for trial, the Philippine Election Commission still stated on the 12th that Duterte is still a candidate for mayor of Davao City. According to the ABS-CBN website in the Philippines, John Laudianko, spokesperson for the Election Commission, stated that under the Comprehensive Election Law, individuals with pending cases can still be candidates until they are convicted and receive a final verdict.
According to the Manila Gazette of the Philippines, the Philippine military made an emergency statement on the 12th, refuting rumors of internal unrest among soldiers due to dissatisfaction with Duterte's arrest. Philippine Armed Forces spokesperson Padilla emphasized on the same day that the Philippine military is "professional and non partisan", focusing on the core mission of maintaining national security and stability. She said, 'The arrest of the former president is a law enforcement issue and does not fall under the direct jurisdiction of the military. We have always strictly adhered to professional principles and do not favor any party. Speculation about military unrest is unfounded.'. Padilla said that the overall security situation in the Philippines remains stable, but the armed forces have been actively monitoring the development of the situation, especially the street protests, and "we are always on high alert.
After Duterte's arrest, his supporters called for large-scale protests. Bloomberg reported on the 12th that hundreds of Duterte supporters held a rally and prayer vigil near the airport where he was arrested on the evening of the 11th. In Mindanao, thousands of people also gathered together to protest against his arrest. His arrest is baseless. Let's unite and express our support, "said Jimmy Dureza, a former Davao City Councilor in the Philippines. 42 year old Davao resident Loveli Viloria said that Duterte's strict crackdown on crime has brought safety to her family.
But Duterte also has some opponents. According to the Associated Press on the 12th, some people gathered on the streets to celebrate Duterte's arrest. They said that the struggle has just begun, and now it's time for him (Duterte) to accept the charges.
The views of Philippine media on this matter are also not unified. Duterte's day of reckoning has arrived. "The Daily Inquirer published an editorial on the 12th stating that it remains to be seen what will happen after Duterte's arrest, and the battle is far from over. The government must ensure the smooth operation of the wheel of justice. The transfer of Duterte was swift, otherwise his allies would have used the arrest to incite political instability. At the same time as Duterte and his accomplices appear in court for trial, witnesses must be fully prepared. But the Manila Times believes that the Philippines officially withdrew from the International Criminal Court in 2019. In any case, the International Criminal Court cannot claim to order the arrest of Duterte, as the Philippines has withdrawn from the institution.
On the 12th, the website of Australia's Dialogue magazine announced that Duterte may become the first former Asian head of state to be tried in The Hague. But confirming police involvement in the killings is a huge challenge. Even if a lawsuit can be filed against Duterte now, it will be difficult to find witnesses, especially those within the police force. At the same time, the Duterte camp will quickly launch a defense, which will be a 'trial show'.
(Editer：admin)
