Cayetano to human rights groups: Why didn’t anyone speak up on Duterte’s arrest?

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed frustration over the silence of human rights groups following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I meant no offense to human rights activists. Nirerespeto ko kayo, but nagdurugo pa rin ang puso ko. Ba’t walang nagsalita sa inyo?” Cayetano asked.

He noted that in the past, human rights activists were known for defending the rights of individuals, regardless of their alleged crimes.

“Y’ung mga kilala kong human rights activist noong 80s at 70s, y’ung mga nababasa ko sa Europe, sa US, kahit anong bigat, kahit anong baho ng kriminal, ipaglalaban nila y’ung karapatan niya,” according to him.

Cayetano also questioned those who claim the International Criminal Court (ICC) offers a fairer judicial process, pointing out that Duterte’s case was never filed in the Philippines.

“Sabi nila, mas patas sa ICC. Pero sa ICC, na-aresto na siya, sinakay na siya sa eroplano, ‘tsaka lang siya sasabihan kung ano y’ung kasalanan, sino y’ung witness. 

“He did not have a chance to confront his witnesses. He does not know when he got there kung ano ang kaso, ano y’ung mga evidence. So ang layo [ng proseso] dito sa Pilipinas at doon,” he said.IMT