Filipinos should be tried by PH courts –Iglesia Ni Cristo

Iglesia Ni Cristo spokesperson Ka Edwil Zabala asserted that Filipinos should be tried in Philippine courts and that the country must not surrender its sovereignty to foreign entities.

According to a 24 Oras report on Friday, the INC maintained that Philippine courts are fully capable of administering justice and imposing appropriate penalties.

The statement follows the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs.

“Ang mga hukom natin ay may kakayahan po na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin na ipataw ang tamang hustisya at pairalin ang katarungan sa lahat ng sandali. Kaya, hindi natin dapat isuko ang soberenya ng ating bansa sa iba,” Zabala said in an interview.

(Our judges can fulfill their duty of upholding justice at all times. That is why we should not relinquish our nation’s sovereignty to others.)

“Sinumang Pilipino o mamamayan ng ating bansa na may ginawang paglabag sa ating mga batas, dito dapat litisin sa ating bansa,” he added.

(Any Filipino or citizen of this country who violates our laws should be tried here.)

Zabala emphasized that the Philippine justice system functions effectively, and the INC firmly believes in the integrity of the country’s courts.

The INC also condemned any actions that bypass the nation’s legal framework, stressing the importance of upholding Philippine law.

“Gumagana naman ang sistema ng ating hustisya. Hindi po natin sinasabing ‘wag litisin ang dating Pangulo sa mga iniaakusa laban sa kanya… Nagtitiwala ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa integridad at kakayahan ng hudikatura para pagpasyahan ang ganitong bagay at usapin,” Zabala said.

(Our justice system works. We are not saying that the former President should not face trial for the accusations against him. The Iglesia Ni Cristo trusts the integrity and capability of the judiciary to decide on such matters.)

“Hindi po sumasang-ayon ang Iglesia sa anumang hakbangin na hindi naaayon sa mga batas ng ating bansa… Kung ano ang tama, at kung ano ang mga nasa batas natin, ‘yun sana ang dapat pairalin. ‘Wag po itong pilipitin para umayon sa nais ng sinuman,” he added.

(The Iglesia does not agree with any actions that violate the laws of our country. What is right and lawful should be upheld—our laws should not be twisted to serve anyone’s personal agenda.)

Meanwhile, the INC expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of response to the peace rally they conducted in January. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News