Duterte backers’ ‘zero remittance’ to hit economy, families – Escudero

Supporters of Former President Rodrigo Duterte hold a rally outside the detention facility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the coast coastal district of Scheveningen on Wednesday (AP)

MANILA, Philippines — It’s well within the rights of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters overseas to stage a “zero remittance week,” Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Wednesday. But he reminded them that doing so would affect the Philippine economy and their dependents.

“For me, it is well within their rights, but it will hurt not only the economy but also many Filipinos who are relying on their families and loved ones when it comes to sustaining their daily, weekly, and monthly needs,” Escudero said in Filipino during the “Kapihan sa Senado” forum.

Still, he maintained that it is a peaceful mode of protest that goes well within the country’s existing laws.

“But this will affect our economy and the personal needs of the people,” he added.

Earlier, Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office told Duterte’s supporters to remain calm with their plans to mount such a protest action.

“If they choose not to send or remit money to their families, it’s not only the government that will be affected but also their own families. So, hopefully, we can remain calm in handling these kinds of issues,” she said.

In turn, she appealed to Duterte supporters to be fair in their perspective so that “any possible consequences of their actions can be lessened.”

The plans to conduct such a protest came days after Duterte was arrested under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Duterte was accused of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign during his presidency. Shortly after his arrest on March 11, the former president was transported to The Hague, Netherlands, to face the charges before the ICC.