MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte expressed gratitude to supporters of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, acknowledging their continued loyalty as the family marked his birthday.
She emphasized that his detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains, for her, an issue tied to Philippine sovereignty
In her message, Duterte thanked various groups, volunteers, and millions of Filipinos in the country and abroad who organized and joined birthday commemorations for the former president.
She said the sustained support for her father reflects what she described as a leadership that prioritized the safety and dignity of Filipino families.
THE GREETINGS
“As we celebrate, we also stand firm. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty,” she said.
The Duterte family and their allies maintain the position that the former president was effectively “kidnapped” when Philippine law enforcement authorities arrested him in March 2025 and subsequently turned him over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
However, the Philippine government has maintained that the arrest was carried out in compliance with international obligations and through coordination with Interpol in serving lawful warrants.
Last month, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I conducted confirmation of charges proceedings against the former president in connection with alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s controversial “war on drugs.”
Vice President Duterte also warned against what she described as the misuse of legal systems for political purposes and the involvement of foreign institutions in domestic affairs.
“Our justice system must remain independent, serving only the mandate of the Filipino people and never the interests of foreign powers,” she added.
THE CASE
Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, is facing proceedings before the International Criminal Court over allegations of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The case stems from thousands of deaths linked to the “war on drugs,” which drew both domestic support and international criticism.
In March 2025, Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and transferred to The Hague following coordination with international law enforcement mechanisms.
His camp disputes the legality of the arrest and transfer, arguing that it violates Philippine sovereignty and due process, while government officials insist it was carried out in accordance with international legal commitments.
The ICC has since moved forward with pre-trial proceedings to determine whether the charges will be confirmed for trial.