Duterte, I don’t think, is low-hanging fruit. If the former Philippine president is tried and found guilty of crimes against humanity, this will be a win not only for his thousands of victims and their families but also for global justice and international law, the sort of victory that can only strengthen the ICC and give it the determination and stamina to go after the so-called bigger fish.
Nearly a week after Duterte’s arrest, tensions continue to rattle the Philippines. But with Duterte in prison and Sara in the Hague to provide moral support, there is no figure on the ground around which the so-called DDS (Die-hard Duterte Supporters) can rally around for big mass actions in Metro-Manila. Not surprisingly, energies are being channeled back to campaigning for the midterm elections in May. Everyone knows that the result of the polls will be a gauge of the relative strength of the two dynasties that are at war.
