Duterte supporters ‘converge’ on Hague to call for his release

An estimated 200 or so Filipinos coming from other countries joined a “Convergence Day” in The Hague, calling for the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity due to his bloody war on drugs.

Among those in attendance were Duterte’s former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who also protested the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Tatlo ang panawagan: unang una, palayain si Tatay Digong. Panginoon na ang gumawa ng paraan para siya’y mapakawalan. Wala na po siyang sapat na kakayanan na harapin… Kaya kailangan ma-dismiss na po ang kaso,” he said in an interview.

“Pangalawa po, dahil sa lantarang korapsyon dahil sa kapabayaan ng gobyerno, kinakailangan talagang mag-resign na si BBM Marcos Jr. at pangatlo po, naniniwala ako na panahon na ng tunay na pagbabago sa Pilipinas at sa pagbibitiw ni Marcos… hayaan na natin si [Vice President] Sara Duterte,” he added.

(There are three calls: first of all, free Tatay Digong. God made a way for him to be released. He no longer has the strength to face the cases, so they need to be dismissed.

Second, because of blatant corruption and government neglect, BBM Marcos Jr. really needs to resign. Ang third, I believe it is time for real change in the Philippines, and with Marcos stepping down… let us allow Sara Duterte [to take over.])

The Convergence Day was also attended by Duterte’s ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, who visited him in the past week, and said the former President is healthy.

“He is okay, okay man siya, fit pa rin, healthy. And anyway, do not worry because there’s a doctor, there’s a nurse that always checks on him, everyday ‘yan,” she said.

“Thank you for all the Filipinos all over the world who has been supporting us since March 23, it is overwhelming. Your undying love for the President, for Rodrigo, is so fantastic,” she added.

Duterte, who repeatedly said he will accept full legal responsibility for the consequences of his bloody campaign against illegal drugs, was brought to The Hague in March to be tried for crimes against humanity.

Police records show that deaths under the drug war reached 6,000, but human rights groups contend that these were as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas from a report by Hon Sophia Balod/BM, GMA Integrated News