The British Filipino community is divided about former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s continued detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte, 80, was extradited to ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, back in March and is charged with crimes against humanity. Duterte has contested his extradition.
ICC prosecutors allege that Duterte, whilst president between 2016 and 2022, pursued an anti-drugs policy which directed a systematic attack against a civilian population, resulting in thousands of deaths.
Support and opposition to Duterte is evident in equal measure among Filipinos, a feeling that extends to the large Filipino community in London.
However, it is a Bromley-based British vlogger who has emerged as one of the leading voices opposing Duterte’s continued incarceration.
Malcolm Conlan, 54, uses his platform of almost 260,000 Facebook followers – many of whom are Filipino – to demonstrate support for Duterte.
He said: “I feel I have a connection to [Duterte]… I feel what he was doing was right for the country.
“During his administration the Philippines became safer. I can say that because I visited five or six times during his presidency.”
Conlan, who has been married to a Filipina for over 25 years, has visited The Hague 12 times in six months to protest against Duterte’s arrest alongside other supporters.
Conlan also has a further three visits booked for later this month – a commitment he suggests could have an impact on his own health.
He said: “I feel I have a duty to Filipino overseas workers who can’t possibly go to the Hague … I’m doing so on their behalf.
“I can’t describe to you, having met [Duterte], what that actually felt like.
“I’ve made it my duty to support President Duterte.
“This is a personal crusade of mine.”
Conlan argues that Duterte could have been placed under house arrest in the Philippines as an alternative to continued incarceration at The Hague’s detention centre.
Earlier this month, Duterte’s pre-trial hearing was postponed after defence lawyers alleged that the former president was not fit to stand trial.
However, Patrice de Guzman, originally from Manila but studying at the London School of Economics (LSE), believes that Duterte’s poor health should not be a barrier to proceedings.
She said: “If [Duterte] and his supporters believe he has done nothing wrong, then why is he scared of facing [trial]? Why is his team delaying due process?”
Laurence Raran, a British-Filipino from Woolwich, agrees that Duterte should face justice.
The Oxford University student said: “I think [Duterte] did many horrific things in the Philippines… It is right in one sense that he should be in the Hague.”
The ongoing feud between the Duterte and Marcos clans is dominating Philippine politics, culminating in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s cooperation with the ICC in surrendering Duterte.
Raran has concerns that the dynastic rivalry is distracting from dealing with the pressing issues in his home country.
He said: “These are two warring families… acting like feudalistic barons from the 14th or 15th century here in England, except we are in the 21st century.”
Featured image credit: Bullit Marquez/AP
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