Infighting in the defense team of former Philippine President Duterte!
Former spokesman of old Duterte, Harry Roque, denied on Wednesday the allegations that he had intervened in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The chief lawyer of the former president, Kaufman, said that Roque's crazy plan might harm the possibility of old Duterte's release.
Roque refused to admit that he had been intervening in the legal defense strategy and could endanger the case: "As a loyal soldier of Duterte, all I want is to bring this former president back to the Philippines alive. Like many die-hard supporters of Duterte, I am frustrated that our beloved president is being detained before trial."
Roque emphasized that the legal remedies he proposed outside the International Court proceedings were just an additional option and would be approved by Duterte and his family.
"Therefore, I have provided an additional legal remedy outside the International Court, but it requires the approval of the former president and his family."
Kaufman revealed in an interview with a long-time supporter of old Duterte that old Duterte had explicitly asked Roque to stop interfering in the case.
Kaufman also pointed out that Roque was facing his own legal troubles, with a warrant issued in the Philippines for him for human trafficking.
Kaufman believes that Roque's proposal to sue the Dutch government will backfire and may harm any efforts to negotiate the former president's release.
"In my opinion, this is a crazy plan because releasing the former president requires the cooperation of the Dutch government. If they are sued by Roque, it is less likely to be achieved."
So far, neither the family of old Duterte nor the Vice President's office has commented on the public dispute between Roque and Kaufman.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839197113793536/
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