Former Duterte cabinet members condemn his “Unlawful” arrest

DAVAO CITY — A group of former Cabinet Secretaries and Agency Heads under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a strong condemnation of the “unlawful” arrest and alleged mistreatment of Duterte by the Marcos administration.

In a statement shared by former Departmetn of Budget and Management Secretary Wendel Avisado released Thursday, the former officials expressed their “unwavering” opposition to what they described as a “grave abuse of power,” calling the arrest and treatment of Duterte a violation of the nation’s sovereignty and an affront to the values of justice.

“We, the former Cabinet Secretaries and Agency Heads under the leadership of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, stand united in unwavering condemnation of the unlawful arrest and cruel treatment of our beloved leader,” the statement read.

The group emphasized Duterte’s dedication to serving the Filipino people, particularly in his controversial war on drugs, and expressed disbelief at the way he has been treated.

“To see the man who dedicated himself to protecting the Filipino people from the devastating effect of illegal drugs, a man who sacrificed so much for the well-being of his countrymen, treated in such a way is nothing short of heartbreaking,” the statement continued.

The statement added, “The denial of justice is not just a personal injustice to one man—it is a threat to the very freedoms and dignity of every Filipino,” the former officials wrote.

Asserting that no one should be subjected to such violations, the group called for unity in the fight for justice. “When our leaders, who serve with honor and loyalty, are wronged, it is a betrayal of us all. Let us never forget that the fight for justice is for all of us,” the statement read.

The former Cabinet members concluded their statement by expressing gratitude to Duterte for his sacrifices during his office. “We thank Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his sacrifice for the Filipino people. “

The statement from the former officials marks the latest in a series of political developments surrounding Duterte’s arrest and legal challenges, which have sparked a divisive debate in the country.

While Duterte’s supporters view him as a protector of Filipino sovereignty and national security, critics of his administration’s brutal anti-drug campaign have raised concerns over human rights violations.