Duterte says he only wanted peace in the Philippines

 

Duterte suggested OFWs build him a monument showing him with a gun

Amid continuing speculations that the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant of arrest against him, former Philippine President Rodrigo told about 2,000 supporters in Hong Kong that he did everything in his time so Filipinos can have a little peace.

“Ginawa ko ang nararapat para magkaroon ng kaunting kapayapaan ang mga Pilipino,” he told the crowd made up mostly of Filipino migrant workers in an event held at Southorn Stadium in Wanchai on Sunday, Mar. 9.

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Duterte addressed the reports about his possible arrest head-on, saying the ICC had been hounding him for a long time, then followed this up with an expletive.

The ICC has been investigating the large number of killings by police and hitmen during Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs, which left thousands of mostly poor Filipinos dead.

Duterte with his senatorial candidates

In a more serious tone, Duterte added: “Assuming na totoo, bakit ko ginawa ito? Para sa sarili ko? Sa pamilya ko? Para sa inyo ito, at inyong mga anak.”

(Assuming the allegations are true, why did I do it? For myself? My family? It was for you and your children).

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He then said in jest that overseas Filipino workers should build him a monument just like the national hero, Jose Rizal. But while Rizal held a book, he should be shown holding a gun.

His surprise appearance at the event left a number of OFWs in the audience in tears, in a show of fondness and support for the embattled former president.

A number of women supporters shed tears on seeing the former president

Earlier, media reports in the Philippines announced Duterte had flown to Hong Kong in the face of his possible arrest because of the warrant issued by the ICC.

Online media portal Rappler, citing “informed sources,” said the warrant was issued on Saturday, Mar. 8. It also said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz had admitted hearing about the said warrant being issued.

However, the ICC itself has not made an official announcement on this, or commented on the report.

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The Hong Kong event which was supposed to be a thanksgiving meeting between Duterte and overseas Filipino workers was organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, a religious group founded by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is in jail in the Philippines on charges of money laundering, human trafficking and abuse of minors.

Quiboloy was among the senatorial candidates in next May’s mid-term elections in the Philippines endorsed by Duterte at the event. The others were incumbents Christopher Go and Ronaldo dela Rosa, along with Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, lawyers James Bondoc, Vic Rodriguez and Raul Lambino, actor Philip Salvador and Dr. Richard Mata.

VP Sara is all smiles at she hints at running for president in 2028

Making a surprise appearance at the event was Vice President Sara Duterte, who hinted at running in the next presidential election in 2028.

“Nagpapasalamat ako dahil from 2016 hanggang 2025 nandiyan pa rin kayo…Sa tulong ninyo at sa kampanya para sa akin sa nakaraang halalan noong 2022…at sa susunod na halalan sa 2028 (joke),” she said.

(I am grateful because from 2016 until 2025 you are still there…for your help and for campaigning for me in the 2022 election, and in the next election in 2028 (joke).

VP Duterte, who faces an impeachment trial at the Senate, repeatedly spoke of how she had been scammed, in an obvious reference to his very public falling-out with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

“Nabudol lagi,” she said in her native Visayan language (I was tricked),

She hinted that she had agreed to campaign on a platform of unity and continuity, only to realize later on that Marcos had other thoughts, or that he would not do his part of the deal.

It is unclear whether Ex-President Duterte will fly back to the Philippines to belie reports about his possible arrest, or remain in Hong Kong and travel on to another country, which could further fuel speculations about his fate.

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