Fil-Am critics, supporters of Duterte hold rallies on his 80th birthday
Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte hold a rally in front of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to mark his 80th birthday. Photo by Jun Nucum
SAN FRANCISCO – Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte held a rally Friday afternoon in front of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to mark his 80th birthday and to call for his return to the Philippines from International Criminal Court (ICC) custody in the Hague.
Duterte, who was arrested by the ICC on March 11, is facing a charge of crimes against humanity over his drug war that killed thousands of suspected dealers and users.
Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto, one of the more than 200 rallyists, said Duterte’s arrest was illegal and violated Philippine sovereignty.
Former Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto speaks at the rally in front of the Philippine Consulate. Photo by Jun Nucum
“We firmly believe that he should be tried in the Philippines, where the alleged crimes were committed, because we are not a failed state. We have a functioning judicial system,” Alonto said. “Therefore, there is no reason for him to be tried in a foreign tribunal.”
Meanwhile, dozens of Fil-Am activists and human rights advocates from BAYAN-Northern California, Gabriela, Malaya Movement and Migrante gathered at Union Square, then marched to the Consulate to demand justice for the victims of Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.
Photo by Jun Nucum
During the program, emcees recited some of the names of the drug war victims and prayed for justice.
“No birthday candles for Duterte here. Candles for those lives who have been taken from us. Candles for those who continue to struggle for genuine peace,” one of the emcees said.
Photo from Malaya Movement SF
“Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God, for it is they who led us to this moment, of the arrest of a tyrant. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be filled with joy when justice and accountability are won for the tens of thousands of lives taken.”
One of the speakers shared that five of his father’s friends were killed during the Duterte administration. “This drug war made my father’s condition worse. The drug war didn’t just directly impact my father, but it left my two small brothers without their main provider, struggling day-to-day to put food on the table,” said the speaker, who gave only his first name, Josh.
Photo from Malaya Movement SF
Another speaker, Glenn, shared a testimony by Rose Hayahay, an indigenous educator and human rights advocate based in Mindanao, who witnessed the Duterte administration’s attacks on the Lumad schools.
“During her testimony, she showed an autopsy report that reveals the use of torture against her co-workers – the victims of the New Bataan 5 massacre. Between the findings of multiple gunshot wounds, they suffered internal hemorrhages with lacerations of multiple organs and fractures,” he said.
“This is the kind of tyranny that was perpetrated by these monsters under Duterte’s leadership and the Anti-Terror Law, which he weaponized against his critics under the guise of combating terrorism.”
