Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has traveled to the Netherlands to support her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, after he was arrested in Manila on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and transferred to The Hague. Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was detained at Manila airport and flown to the Netherlands on Tuesday, facing allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his violent anti-drug campaign that left thousands dead.
Sara Duterte’s office confirmed that she boarded a morning flight to Amsterdam on Wednesday, reportedly to assist in organizing her father’s legal defense. In a strongly worded statement, the vice president condemned the arrest, describing it as an act of oppression and persecution. She claimed that Duterte’s extradition to the ICC was an affront to Philippine sovereignty and an insult to those who value the country’s independence.
The arrest marks a historic moment, as Duterte, 79, could become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC. The court has been investigating allegations of crimes against humanity committed under his administration since 2018. Duterte’s controversial war on drugs saw widespread extrajudicial killings, with police and vigilantes targeting suspected drug users and dealers. Official reports put the number of deaths at over 7,000, while human rights organizations claim the true figure is much higher.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defended his administration’s decision to facilitate Duterte’s transfer to the ICC, stating that it was in compliance with commitments to Interpol and international law. His position has intensified the political rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions, a division that has grown more pronounced since Sara Duterte’s impeachment by the Philippine lower house of Congress last month.
Sara’s impeachment followed a series of allegations, including misuse of public funds and a supposed plot to assassinate President Marcos Jr. While she has denied all accusations, calling them a politically motivated attack, the vote to remove her from office was backed by lawmakers aligned with Marcos.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica Duterte, is expected to file a habeas corpus request with the Philippine Supreme Court in an attempt to compel the government to return the former president to the Philippines. Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s former chief legal counsel, stated that the legal team is working on possible options and awaiting clarification on where the former president will be held and whether they will be granted access to him. Former Labor Minister Silvestre Bello, another key member of Duterte’s legal team, emphasized that their priority is determining the former president’s exact location and ensuring he receives legal representation.
Duterte’s arrest has sparked mixed reactions in the Philippines. Supporters gathered in protest, denouncing the ICC’s intervention and calling for Duterte’s release. Meanwhile, human rights groups and families of those killed during the drug war held a vigil in Quezon City, demanding justice for victims of Duterte’s policies, including extrajudicial killings, anti-terror laws, and martial law in Mindanao.
As the legal proceedings unfold in The Hague, the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte marks a pivotal moment in the Philippines’ engagement with international justice. With political tensions rising at home and growing international scrutiny, the case against the former president is set to be one of the most closely watched trials in recent history.