Duterte supporters, advocacy groups troop to ICC ahead of confirmation hearing
Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte and advocacy groups seeking justice for extrajudicial killing victims are already in The Hague, Netherlands, ahead of the detained ex-president's confirmation of charges hearing.
News5 reported that advocacy groups and EJK victims have been on the scene since Sunday, Feb. 22, and will attend Duterte's hearing. They have since held a press conference and a demonstration outside the International Criminal Court and have criticized Duterte's refusal to personally appear at the hearings for being "old, tired, and frail."
"Sinabi ni Duterte na siya ay matanda na, napapagod na. Bakit ako? Matanda na rin po ako eh, pero hindi ako napapagod para kamtin ang hustisya, hindi lang para sa aking mga anak kundi para sa buhay ng mga biktimang kanyang pinaslang," Llore Pasco, mother of an EJK victim, said of the 80-year-old Duterte.
Sheerah Escudero, sister to an EJK victim who will also attend Duterte's confirmation hearing, said she is dismayed by the continuous support for the former president.
"I think we should check ourselves again. Magnilay po tayo, mag-contemplate tayo... why are they still supporting a murderer?" she said.
"Sa kabilang banda, nagiging fuel din namin ito para patuloy na ikwento kung anong nangyari sa Pilipinas, kung ano nangyari sa mahal namin sa buhay. Kasi malinaw sa amin, totoo lahat ng ito. Doon po nanggagaling ang tapang namin," she added.
"Ang hiling lang namin sana ma-carry 'yung boses, 'yung views and concerns ng mga biktima. May tiwala naman kami na mapaabot namin 'yun sa korte," ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti told News5 in a separate interview.
Meanwhile, Duterte supporters have also flocked to the road near the ICC Detention Center, dubbed "Duterte street." News5 reported that these individuals, who are mostly Filipinos, go there after work, carrying Duterte standees and even eating together.
"'Di ko dinaanan ang kanyang governance pero nakita ko sa pamilya ko kung paano naging safe ang mga pamangkin ko sa kalsada," Duterte supporter Marilou Joson said.
One supporter, Elsi Milan from Vienna, Austria, said that she went to "Duterte street" after a "call from God."
"Kasi sabi nga ni Lord, go there, it's urgent. Nafi-feel ko 'yung burden ng Panginoon para sa nangyayari sa atin, sa Pilipinas, kay Duterte, 'yung lawlessness at righteousness ay... kailangan ng prayer," she shared.
Supporters added that they hope Duterte will be able to return home to Davao City.
Duterte will have a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court from Feb. 23 to 27 over crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his war on drugs in the Philippines.
The ICC has granted the request of Duterte's defense to waive his right to appear in the proceedings.
Filipino lawyers will attend Duterte's hearing, including former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, ex-Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, and 4 others. Duterte's family confirmed that there are no approved in-person visits to Duterte during the hearings.
