Actress and singer Gladys Guevarra has urged Filipinos to respect differing opinions and pray for national healing, following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an Instagram post on March 13, Guevarra shared her thoughts on the divisive political climate, emphasizing the need for unity despite opposing views on Duterte’s fate.

“‘Di tayo pare-pareho ng opinyon at tingin sa kanya. Sa mga kaibigang taliwas sa opinyon at paniniwala ko, nire-respeto ko din naman mga opinyon at paniniwala ninyo sa tao mang ito o sa gobyerno,” she wrote.

She then recalled a personal encounter with the former president, describing him as a fatherly figure rather than a politician.

“Maalala ko lang itong araw na nakilala ko siya, nakausap at nakaharap. Hindi presidente o politiko ang naramdaman ko nung makamayan at mayakap ko siya, kundi isang ama, o tatay na gusto lamang eh protektahan ka.”

Guevarra admitted that she has been hesitant to share political opinions online, noting how past experiences have led to intense debates and backlash.

“Minsan na akong napaso sa social media tungkol sa pagbibigay opinyon sa politika o sa palakad ng gobyerno. At di ko na nanaisin pang muli,” she said.

Rather than fueling division, the actress encouraged Filipinos to come together in prayer.

“‘Wag na tayo magpaka-isip bata ngayon ha? Wala ng unfriend-an, wag tayo ang mag-away away. Irespeto niyo opinyon ng bawat isa,” she continued. “Ang maganda n’yan, ipagdasal natin na mag-heal ang government, mag-heal ang lahat ng nasaktang pamilya ng gobyerno, physical man ‘yan o emotional being nila, at manatiling safe ang bawat Filipino lalo ngayon.”

She ended her post with hashtags #TatayDigong, #GodSavePhilippines, and #HealOurGovernmentOfficials, signaling her call for peace and healing.

Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11 and transported to The Hague, Netherlands, where he was handed over to the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen on March 12. He is set to face his initial pre-trial hearing on March 14, where he will answer to crimes against humanity charges related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.