PNP chief to DDS: Let’s set aside our differences

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has asked supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte—also known as Diehard Duterte Supporters or DDS—to set aside their political differences and leave the former chief executive’s trial up to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Torre’s call came after pictures and videos of purported crimes during the previous administration circulated online recently and were used against the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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“They are running out of bullets and issues they want to throw against this government. That’s why they are digging now. But didn’t they realize how easy it is for us to check their claims. Their words against the record of the internet. Their narrative can easily be refuted,” the PNP chief said in a press briefing on Monday.

“So that’s why I appeal to them, we are all Filipinos and we want to improve the country; so let’s unite and forget about our differences—all those cases, all those issues that they are harping about bring FPRRD (former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) home. He’s already in The Hague.”

Torre claimed that the high court will be able to handle Duterte’s case fairly since judges of the ICC will only look at evidence presented by the prosecution and defense.

He added that the complainants of the case are also Filipinos and not foreigners.

Last month, Duterte formally appealed to the ICC for an interim release to an undisclosed country, citing the reported willingness of a certain State Party to host him. However, prosecutors opposed the former president’s appeal and called on the tribunal’s Pre-Trial Chamber I to junk the request.

Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang argued that the continued detention of Duterte remains necessary to ensure his appearance at trial.

Last March 11, Duterte was served an arrest warrant from the ICC for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs. He is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, and attended his pre-trial hearing via video call last March 14.

Based on reports, Duterte’s anti-drug campaign dubbed Oplan Tokhang left at least 6,000 people dead, but human rights groups have reported at least 20,000 killed. /cb