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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Rep. Paolo Duterte slams 1Sambayan for warning vs FPRRD's potential interim release

Rep. Paolo Duterte slams 1Sambayan for warning vs FPRRD's potential interim release

Published Jun 17, 2025 01:32 pm
REP. Paolo Duterte (right) with sister Vice President Sara Duterte. (FB)
REP. Paolo Duterte (right) with sister Vice President Sara Duterte. (FB)
DAVAO CITY – Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte strongly criticized an opposition bloc for allegedly warning foreign governments against accepting his father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, should his request for interim release be granted.
In an issued statement on Monday evening, June 16, Rep. Duterte said it would be no surprise if several countries express readiness to receive former President Duterte should the International Criminal Court approve his petition for interim release.
Rep. Duterte pushed back against the opposition bloc 1Sambayan’s appeal to the foreign nations, which urged them not to welcome the former President if his request for temporary release is approved.
The lawmaker accused the opposition bloc of hypocrisy and selective advocacy. He said the group remained silent during past incidents involving Filipino citizens who were allegedly kidnapped or victimized by drug syndicates and communist insurgents.
He is wondering that they now exert so much effort to caution other countries against receiving the former President, who had been praised by several nations for his campaign against crime, particularly illegal drugs.
“A citizen of this Republic had been kidnapped by his fellow Filipinos, and never did we hear anything from this group, nor did we hear anything from them when drug lords and NPA insurgents terrorized our fellow Filipino citizens. It is interesting now that these people would go to great lengths to warn states from receiving our President,” Rep. Duterte said.
Rep. Duterte maintained that former President Duterte’s actions during his tenure were intended to safeguard the nation and uphold public safety rather than infringe upon human rights.
“There was no crime against humanity—only a bold move by a man willing to do what others feared to protect our people,” the lawmaker said.
Rep. Duterte also slammed the broader opposition, claiming that groups like 1Sambayan are aligned with certain political blocs and funded by individuals eyeing the presidency in 2028.
Without naming names directly, he accused them of using public funds to advance their ambitions.
Rep. Duterte expressed concern over what he called the country’s failure to stand by a leader who, in his view, risked everything for national security.
“He is now elderly and frail. All he wants is to come home and spend time with his family,” Rep. Duterte said, pointing out that the former President is no longer eligible to hold office and poses no political threat.
Rep. Duterte pleaded to the Filipino public: “Let us pray for former President Duterte—that he may finally return to the country he deeply loves and served with unwavering loyalty.”
The former President, currently facing international legal scrutiny, filed an appeal for interim release. His supporters argued that his health and service record should be considered.
Vice President Sara Duterte backed the request filed by the legal team of former President Duterte seeking interim release from detention by the ICC at The Hague due to health concerns over the former leader’s age.
The Vice President said the interim release would be in the best interest of her father, who is now 80. She emphasized that it would likely be better if the former President was granted interim release and have access to nurses and caregivers who could assist him.

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Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte President Duterte ICC International Criminal Court
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