International Criminal Court (L) and former President Rodrigo Duterte (ICC and official Facebook page of Rody Duterte)
MANILA, Philippines — Bringing home former President Rodrigo Duterte to be tried by local courts will “calm down the situation” in the country, senatorial candidate and former Senator Gregorio Honasan said n a press conference at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday.
“[H]indi normal ang sitwasyon. Nahahati ang bansang Pilipino. Nagpapahayag ng saloobin nila, hindi lamang dito sa loob ng ating bayan kundi sa buong mundo. May pro, may anti (referring to support and opposition to Duterte’s arrest),” Honasan said.
(The situation is not normal. The Philippines is being divided. People are expressing their grievances not only in the country but all over the world. There are people for and against it.)
“Ano ang hakbang para humupa ang sitwasyon? Ibalik ang dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa ating bansa para dito sa sarili nating bansa litisin,”
(What should be done to calm down the situation? Bring back former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to our country so he can face trial in our own country.)
At the press conference, Honasan announced a petition to be filed by various non-government organizations to the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting a leave to address the validity of Duterte’s arrest and the “urgent need” to release and return him to the Philippines.
“Dumudulog kami sa ICC. Dumudulog kami sa Kataas-taasang Hukuman ng ating bansa, sa Korte Suprema, na tulungan ang sambayanan na maunawaan ang isyu at maresolba ito para humupa na ang sitwasyon,” Honasan said.
(We are appealing to the ICC. We are appealing to the High Court of our country, the Supreme Court, to help our countrymen understand the issue and resolve it for tension to subside.)
Duterte is facing the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity said to have been committed during his anti-narcotics campaign.
Government data said at least 6,000 people were killed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, but human rights watchdogs estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000.
Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing in the Hague, Netherlands was set for September 23, 2025.