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Duterte supporters at The Hague: 'Send him back'
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the Scheveningen Prison as they repeatedly urged The Hague to "send him back" to the Philippines.
Dutch police cleared the penitentiary gate and partially diverted road traffic in anticipation of the arrival of Duterte’s convoy.
At 7:34 PM local time (2:34 AM Philippine time), two black SUVs arrived at the penitentiary carrying the former Philippine leader.
The arrival lasted for roughly 30 seconds as Duterte’s supporters continued to shout “send him back” while waving the Philippine flag. Dutch police dispersed the supporters at exactly 8:00 PM (3:00 AM Philippine time).
The Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison, Dutrerte will await trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged “crimes against humanity.”
LOOK: What the ICC detention center looks like
Supporters
Duterte supporters arrived at the ICC headquarters at noontime. Later, at around 4:00 PM, they walked towards the penitentiary some 20 minutes away by foot.
Local Dutch police said they didn’t keep count of the number of protesters gathered at the penitentiary. GMA News estimated some 200 people arrived, and some of them brought the Philippine flag and placards to show their support for Duterte.
Some of them came from different cities in the Netherlands and even nearby countries.
Elizabeth Prado, who works at a non-profit in Germany, told GMA News she came to The Hague to give her moral support to the former president.
“I wish the ICC to give him the right decision and bring him back to the Philippines,” Prado said.
Meanwhile, a supporter who went by the name Alvin came to show his "undying love to the former president during this difficult time.”
"If he committed alleged crimes, he should be tried in Philippine courts. Why do we need the ICC?" he told GMA News.
LIVE BLOG: Duterte at the Hague
What Duterte’s arrest means for the Dutch
Several Dutch who passed by the penitentiary watched the throngs of Filipinos as they chanted support for the former president.
Eighty-year-old Rein Willems, who previously worked in the Philippines as president of a multinational energy firm, told GMA News he was “surprised” to hear the news that Duterte was “let go from the airport” and that “there was no support from the [Marcos] government.”
“I have sympathy for the man,” Willems said of Duterte, whom he met on a courtesy visit in the mid-1990s. “He was a tough guy but a disciplined man. The economy was quite well when he was president.”
When asked about the significance of Duterte’s arrest for Dutch society, Willems said the “average Dutch doesn’t know what’s going on” but “they will adjust,” considering The Hague is a very international city and that several high-profile individuals are already detained at the penitentiary.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old Dutch critic of Duterte brought a placard that read “Catch them all,” with a check mark beside Duterte’s name. The Dutch critic told GMA News he welcomes the arrest of Duterte, who he called a “war criminal.”
“I thought it was a good win for the ICC to be able to arrest a head of a government,” said the critic who requested anonymity.
VP Sara in the Netherlands
Several protesters who live in The Hague and nearby Dutch cities said they are ready to return and show their support for Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
The vice president left Manila Wednesday morning on a flight bound for Amsterdam.
In an advisory released by the Office of the Vice President, Sara said she would meet with lawyers and seek access to her father on March 13 once she has settled in The Hague.
She added she would be available for media interviews the following day.
“Maraming salamat din sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong nagpaabot ng mga mensahe, suporta, at panalangin para kay PRRD, sa akin, at sa aming buong pamilya na ngayon ay nahaharap sa matinding pagsubok sa pulitika,” she said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
