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Sara Duterte heads to the Netherlands to support father’s ICC legal battle
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is traveling to the Netherlands to assist her father following his arrest in Manila. The arrest, carried out under a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), is linked to alleged "crimes against humanity" during his presidency, primarily stemming from his controversial anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths.
Rodrigo Duterte, 79, who was president from 2016 to 2022, was detained at Manila airport and flown to The Hague on Tuesday. He could become the first former Asian head of state to face trial at the ICC.
Sara Duterte departed for Amsterdam on Wednesday to help organize her father’s legal team in the Netherlands. She has publicly expressed her belief that her father’s arrest is an act of oppression and persecution, calling it a violation of Philippine sovereignty. She further emphasized that the arrest is an insult to those who value the nation’s independence.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defended the decision to cooperate with the ICC, citing the country’s obligations to Interpol. Meanwhile, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica Duterte, plans to file a habeas corpus petition with the Philippine Supreme Court, seeking her father’s return.
Duterte’s former legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, announced that the legal team would assess their options and determine where the former president would be held. One of his lawyers, Silvestre Bello, indicated that the team would seek clarity on access to Duterte.
Sara Duterte has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the actions against her family are politically motivated. Although the ICC has not officially charged her father, investigations have been ongoing since 2018 for alleged crimes committed during his war on drugs.
Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency was marked by his aggressive stance against crime. During his campaign and throughout his tenure, he publicly encouraged police to kill drug suspects, leading to over 7,000 deaths during his anti-drug operations.
After his arrest, a vigil was held by family members and supporters of victims of Duterte’s drug war in Quezon City, demanding justice for those affected by his policies.
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