“In a recent live stream, I expressed alarm over two reports from direct and several sources: the impending arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by Philippine law enforcers based on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as the possible demobilization of the Task Force Davao (TFD), which has protected Davao City from the existential threat of terrorism and extremism since 2003. Based on intel, the former president informed me that he could be apprehended anytime. Unfazed, he vowed that the ICC would never get him alive. Since he is already 80 years old, Tatay Digong would fight all attempts to have him detained and prosecuted in The Hague for alleged crimes committed in Philippine territory. He would only submit himself to the jurisdiction of our domestic courts. As his counsel, I maintain that the Court lost its jurisdiction over the country’s war on drugs case because the Prosecutor failed to conduct its preliminary investigation before the effectivity of the Philippine withdrawal from the Rome Statute. Moreover, the cooperation duties of the withdrawing State are limited to the investigations and proceedings that commenced before the effectivity of the withdrawal, according to two ICC Appeals Chamber judges. Therefore, the Marcos administration has no obligation to cooperate with any ICC-related proceeding” (Harry Roque, 07.02.2024).
The idea of the Independent Republic of Mindanao is out of a necessity to safeguard former President Rodrigo Duterte. That is the reason why he suddenly wants to create a new Republic out of parts of the territory of the Philippines. So, that Mindano are separated fron Luzon and Visayas.
It is to save the life of Duterte and his remaining political career. His afraid of the ICC and his sins. Instead of challenging it or being open about it. If a man has nothing to hide. He will easily open up the doors and let investigators in. However, we know Duterte doesn’t want the truth out and this is why his Attorney let this statement out today.
The evidence and the jurisdiction is now put into question. While that might be true, the lack of openness and ability for the ICC to investigate only shows the former President fears outside probe into his past. Therefore, he rather want to use the power of sovereign and the integrity of the Filipino nation. A Filipino Nation he is willing to separate from each other to salvage his political career.
That is the gist of things, as the Attorney is speaking of the territorial integrity and the technicalities regarding the ICC Probe. This just shows that Duterte got something to hide and some sinister actions he doesn’t want out. Duterte knows what went down and what sort of orders he has given over the years as President and Mayor of Davao. Therefore, he wants that to be a secret and not out as public information.
I wondered why Duterte wanted a Independent Mindanao now. It all makes sense now. His afraid of a probe and proper investigation into his matters. He knows what he did and this is why so on the defensive. While he hopes the Marcos Administration will save him too.
We can wonder what will happen next and if Marcos will help him out. That is what Duterte needs, but we cannot know what he will do. Time will tell… and we will see what will go down.
Former President Duterte isn’t a big man right now. He is affiliated and has a dynasty to oversee, but that will not save him. Duterte and his allies has to reconsider where they are, because this isn’t a place of strength. No, this is a sign that they are afraid of people looking into the violent and brutal history of Duterte. This is how I am looking at it…
And it isn’t a good look. No, Duterte … has to decide where he goes and Marcos Jr. can decide what is more important. The support from another influential political family or international pressure. We don’t know what Marcos Jr. will do, but whatever choices he takes. It going to affect his reign and how things are perceived far away from Davao or Manilla for that matter. Peace.
MinBane 