- FPRRD curses ICC on alleged arrest warrant against him
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte had some choice words when he addressed rumors about a warrant of arrest issued against him by the International Criminal Court.
“I heard there’s a warrant against me, from the ICC or something. These sons of bitches have been after me for a long time,” Duterte addressed the crowd of OFWs during a speech at the “Pasasalamat kay PRRD” event in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, on Sunday, March 9.
He maintained that his actions as president were aimed at ensuring peace and order in the Philippines. “Whatever my faults, I did everything in my power during my time to bring some peace and tranquility to the lives of Filipinos,” he asserted.
Duterte questioned the motives behind the alleged warrant. “I don’t know what they think… They say I… ” he said, gesturing with his hands. “Assuming what you’re hearing is true, why would I do it for myself? For my family? I did it for you and your children.”
The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) responded by chanting his name.
“If this is my fate, I’ll accept it. There’s nothing we can do. They can arrest me or imprison me,” Duterte said.
He then jokingly asked the OFWs to contribute “even 5 or 10 dollars” to build him a monument beside Jose Rizal’s upon his release from prison.
The unverified report caused some stir, especially after two mobile patrol units and one truck by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion were deployed to the Davao International Airport on Sunday. However, the Police Regional Office XI said it was a routine simulation exercise and not at all related to the alleged arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra maintained that his office did not receive any official information from the ICC regarding an arrest warrant. He also reiterated the organization has no jurisdiction in the Philippines after the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2018.
