ILOILO City – The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) refusal to grant former president Rodrigo Duterte interim release has sharpened divisions on the ground, with Ilonggos voicing sharply contrasting views on accountability, human rights, and the legacy of the former chief executive.
Duterte is currently detailed at The Hague, Netherlands awaiting trial at the ICC for the charge of crimes against humanity over his brutal war on drugs.
The ICC Appeals Chamber upheld an earlier Pre-Trial Chamber ruling, citing concerns over Duterte’s potential flight risk and rejecting arguments from his legal team. The tribunal, led by Judge Luz del Carmen Ibañez Carranza, unanimously agreed that Duterte’s camp failed to show “substantial errors” in the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision.
Duterte’s lawyers had argued that the Pre-Trial Chamber misjudged his flight risk, overlooked humanitarian considerations, and improperly dismissed assurances from a state willing to accept him. The Appeals Chamber, however, found no compelling basis to alter the ruling.
Ilonggos split
The ICC decision stirred strong reactions in Iloilo, revealing a citizenry still divided on Duterte’s controversial drug war and its aftermath.
“Dominador”, a 71-year-old resident of Molo district here, said allowing Duterte to return freely would only revive conflict.
“Ay, indi na siya (Duterte) pabalikon di para wala damo gamo… damo kwan sa iya (administration) nga bagay nga indi maintindihan,” he said, adding that the former president should face accountability.
He also dismissed calls for Vice President Sara Duterte to replace President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Indi na ya pwede nga ibulos si Sara (Duterte) kay Marcos kay gin boto na sang tawo… Kag dapat i-preso na didto si Digong sa iya ginpang himo,” Dominador insisted.
Eva Rose Recabar, 62, from Janiuay, Iloilo, echoed that Duterte should be detained: “Okay ya decision nga ipreso siya (Rodrigo Duterte)… indi na lang magbalik si Duterte kay damo da sala.”
Former Kabataan party-list representative Raoul Danniel Manuel said the ICC ruling should remind the Dutertes of the suffering caused by the drug war.
“Mayo gid, mabatyagan dapat sang mga Duterte kon ano ang feeling nga gina-deprive… In fact, swerte gani ya ang mga Duterte kay they have been granted due process,” he said.
He added that the rejection of the appeal shows the Duterte network still wields influence: “Ara pa ang ila troll armies kag disinformation network… tsakto lang na nga indi siya pag i-grant sang interim release.”
Supporters stand firm
Other Ilonggos, however, continue to defend Duterte, crediting him for perceived improvements in peace and order.
Basari Pagadatan, a 37-year-old vendor from Mindanao now living in Iloilo, said she would welcome Duterte’s return: “Sympre masugot ko nga mabalik siya sa Pilipinas, kay mayo man siya nga President… kay medyo nabuhinan ang krimen at tsaka mga addict dati sang time niya.”
Another vendor, identified only as “Jenny”, expressed support for both Duterte and his daughter: “Tani mabulos si Sara kay (Marcos)… Tas dapat magbalik na si Duterte. Pro–Duterte ako… para magnami kay subong grabe man nga corruption.”
Justice vs loyalty
Duterte’s lawyers had cited his health and humanitarian concerns as grounds for interim release, but the Appeals Chamber maintained that such factors could not override the risk of absconding.
Manuel reiterated this point, saying: “Kag ti gi- reject ang ila nga appeal, nagapakita lang ini nga ti… ara pa ang clout sang mga Duterte.”
A nation still reckoning
The polarized responses reflect the broader national struggle to reconcile Duterte’s contentious legacy with ongoing demands for justice and institutional reform.
As the ICC proceedings continue, the debate in Iloilo underscores how deeply the former president’s policies continue to shape political identities and public discourse./PN
(caption for Raoul Manuel)
(caption for Basari Pagadatan)
