REPRESENTATIVE Paolo Z. Duterte has issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision regarding his father, calling it a “gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice” and a “political theater.”
In his statement, Rep. Duterte asserted that his father, an 80-year-old man who is no longer in power, has been subjected to political persecution since stepping down from office. He emphasized that his father is not a flight risk and is beloved in the Philippines, with no desire to leave his country.
Rep. Duterte directly addressed those responsible for his father’s situation, vowing to hold them accountable. He also accused the CIA of involvement, stating that their actions would not silence his father but might instead elevate him to the status of a martyr.
“To all kidnappers of my father I will make sure that you will pay for this crime that you have committed. To the CIA who connived in this criminal act, my father’s kidnapping will not silence him. As a matter of fact, you might just have helped in making him a martyr,” Rep. Duterte stated.
He concluded by vowing to appeal the decision and fight it through legal means, expressing confidence that his father would eventually return to the Philippines. He also thanked the Filipino people for their unwavering support.
