Manila, Philippines – HOUSE leaders on Wednesday called on the public to remain calm and reject disinformation and destabilization efforts following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The arrest was carried out by Philippine authorities based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant transmitted to Interpol.
House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V, and Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon have instead appealed for Filipinos to let due process take its course.
“I hope that we are able to remind everyone, whether we agree or not with what happened yesterday, to allow people to be calm, to be sober about what’s happening,” Acidre said.
Ortega said there will always be three sides to contemplate on under a situation, but the ultimate consideration is the search for truth and justice.
“There will always be three sides, ung both parties — ung magkabilang side — at saka yung katotohanan. Ang hinahabol po natin dito is yung katotohanan at makamit ang hustisya. Yun lang po,” Ortega said.
Bongalon urged Filipinos to remain calm and reject malicious and false information that aim to sow destabilization in the country following the former president’s arrest.
“Ako po ay nagaapela na sana po maging kalmado ang lahat sa mga pangyayaring ito. Sana wag po tayong magpagamit sa anumang mga malisyoso at hindi tamang impormasyon na pinapakalat ng ibang tao para mas lalong magulo ang ating bansa. Let us remember that we are all Filipinos, ayaw nating bumagsak ang ating gobyerno dahil kapakanan ng lahat ng ating kababayan ang nakasalalay dito. So let’s pray for the Philippines na sana mas maunlad pa ang ating bansa at umiwas (tayo) sa anumang kaguluhan,” Bongalon said.
Acidre highlighted that the current Lenten season provides an appropriate backdrop for prayers.
“Panahon rin lang naman ng Kuaresma, ipagdasal natin ang isa’t isa, ipagdasal natin ang dating Pangulo lalo na at magbi-birthday siya. Ipagdasal natin ang ating bansa na lahat tayo ay magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa puso at sa ating isipan,” he said.
