PDP Negros Occidental gubernatorial bet Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca (center) speaks at the solidarity rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Loyalists and partymates of former president Rodrigo Duterte joined a solidarity rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center Wednesday evening, March 12, to air their support for their beleaguered leader.
Chanting “Duterte, Duterte” and waving the Philippine flag, the protestors called the arrest of Duterte by virtue of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged of crimes against humanity in his bloody war against illegal drugs, unjust and a violation of Philippine sovereignty.
Duterte was flown to The Hague in the Netherlands Tuesday night to face trial before the ICC.
The police estimated the crowd at the solidarity rally at 650 but participants said there were more.
Among those at the rally were Partido Demokratiko Pilipino senatorial candidate Jayvee Hinlo, Negros Occidental gubernatorial bet Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca, and Andoni Llantada who is running for councilor of Calatrava.
Palanca, PDP-Negros Island Region head, called on those present at the rally to pray for Duterte whom he said was “stolen” and brought to the Netherlands.
Palanca, in an interview, called the arrest and transfer of Duterte to the Netherlands an affront to Philippine sovereignty.
“We are a sovereign country with laws and our own courts”, he said.
He said they were also staging solidarity rallies for Duterte in southern and northern Negros.
The PDP is meeting, they will have sustained protest actions, Palanca said.
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino senatorial candidate Jayvee Hinlo at the rally*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Hinlo said he was saddened that Duterte was arrested and brought to the Netherlands without being given the chance to undergo the legal process in the Philippines.
He said he feared that the ailing and aging Duterte may not be able to return to the country.
Llantada, in a Facebook post said, “people from all walks of life across the nation are rising…We stand with PRRD.”
“The execution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest, which was received by the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) from Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization), followed established protocols to ensure due process and the protection of the former president’s rights,” the Department of Justice said in a statement Wednesday.
The Supreme Court turned down a petition for temporary restraining order filed by Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa in relation to the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said protests to air grievances will be allowed in the city if proper procedures are followed.
“Everyone is given due course to clear one’s name in our democratic world. Maybe the ICC is a forum for him (Duterte) to clear his name if he believes that the charges against him have no basis and are not true. He will be given his day in court,” Benitez said.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said let legal process take its course.
Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said “as mayors and local chief executives of Negros Occidental, we recognize the weight of recent national events, including the legal proceedings involving Former President Rodrigo Duterte”.
“Moments like these remind us of the fundamental principles that uphold our democracy: respect for human rights, due process, and the rule of law. We trust that our institutions will carry out their responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and full adherence to these principles,” said Benitez, who is president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives.
He called on fellow Negrosanons to remain engaged, but also focused on the bigger picture.
“Let us channel our energies into meaningful dialog and collective action, ensuring that our province continues to move forward. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to democracy, human rights, peace, and the shared responsibility of building a stronger nation,” he said.*