Duterte Calls For Release
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday called for the immediate release of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as she joined supporters outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where he has been held since March 2025.
Footage shows Duterte supporters waving Philippine flags and holding banners reading ‘Free Duterte Now’. Sara Duterte can be seen addressing the crowd during a rally outside the ICC.
Asked about the court proceedings, Sara Duterte said her family had remained angry since her father’s transfer to The Hague.
“Well, we are angry from the moment he was taken, kidnapped […] But we tried to support the process. Since he is already under the ICC jurisdiction, we try to support it,” she said.
Family Fears Long Trial
Speaking about the possibility of a lengthy trial, Duterte said she feared her father could die in custody.
“There is always the possibility that he will pass inside the prison. And that is something that I already discussed with President Duterte […] But of course, as a Filipino, as a daughter, we want him to die in Philippine soil,” she added.
“Free him now. Free Duterte now. Bring him home,” she urged.
ICC Case Moves Forward
Rodrigo Duterte, who served as Philippine president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested by Philippine authorities and transferred to ICC custody in March 2025.
According to the ICC, he is charged with crimes against humanity in connection with killings linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign and the Davao Death Squad (DDS). The court said the alleged offences took place 2011 and 2019. Duterte denies the charges. The trial is officially scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.
Article by Viory
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