MANILA, Philippines – House leaders on Wednesday defended due process and called on the public to remain calm following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

The arrest was carried out by Philippine authorities based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and transmitted through Interpol on the basis of crimes against humanity during the “bloody” war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

During the conference, 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 urged Filipinos to let the legal process take its course and reject misleading narratives that could cause instability.

“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 stressed the need to focus on truth and justice amid differing opinions.

“There will always be three sides, ‘yung both parties—’yung magkabilang side—at saka ‘yung katotohanan. Ang hinahabol po natin dito is ‘yung katotohanan at makamit ang hustisya. Yun lang po,” he said.

Bongalon, meanwhile, warned against false information aimed at sowing division in the country.

“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,” he said.

Acidre also highlighted that the Lenten season serves as a reminder for unity and prayer.

“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.

Duterte’s arrest marks a crucial moment in the ICC’s investigation into alleged human rights violations during his administration’s war on drugs. Authorities have yet to announce the next steps in his legal proceedings.