PRESS RELEASE: Human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna Congressman Neri Colmenares reiterated today that the Supreme Court has not issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, countering false claims circulating online.
“The Supreme Court itself has categorically stated that there is no TRO preventing Duterte’s arrest. Any claim to the contrary is outright disinformation meant to mislead the public,” Colmenares said.
He urged the public to remain vigilant against fake news and attempts to twist legal processes for political gain. Duterte cannot claim that he was deprived of his right when the Court declared that he failed to establish a clear and unmistakable right to be released. A legitimate warrant of arrest has been issued against him, unlike many of the Filipinos he ordered arrested who had no benefit of a warrant nor recourse to a court. In fact his police would barge into houses without any search warrant and the perpetrators of these illegal arrests and searches have not been made accountable until now.
“Hindi dapat tayo magpalinlang sa mga nagsasabing may TRO na pumipigil sa pag-aresto kay Duterte. Mismong Korte Suprema na ang nagsabi na walang TRO, kaya dapat tayong mag-ingat sa mga nagkakalat ng maling impormasyon,” he added.
Colmenares emphasized that legal processes must be respected and impunity must be rejected.
“Duterte must be held accountable and he is not above the law, kahit pa dating Pangulo siya. Ang mga ganitong kaso ay dapat harapin sa korte at hindi sa pamamagitan ng panlilinlang sa publiko,” he stressed.
He also called on social media platforms to take action against the spread of fake news regarding the case.
“The spread of disinformation only serves to sow confusion and promote chaos Social media platforms and authorities must act swiftly to curb this,” he said.
Colmenares ended by calling on the public to uphold truth and accountability.
“Dapat nating ipaglaban ang katotohanan at katarungan. Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kasinungalingan sa pagpapanagot sa mga kriminal,” he concluded. ###
