Philippine VP Sara Duterte travels to The Hague to aid her father, Rodrigo Duterte, recently arrested on ICC charges related to his anti-drug campaign. She regards the arrest as oppression, while President Marcos defends the action as compliance with Interpol. The family plans legal moves to contest the ICC’s jurisdiction. Candlelight vigils for drug victims express societal unrest.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is traveling to The Hague to assist her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, following his arrest on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This arrest pertains to alleged “crimes against humanity” linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Rodrigo Duterte was detained in Manila and transferred to The Hague where he could face historical charges. At 79, he may become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC. Sara Duterte has characterized her father’s arrest as an act of “oppression and persecution,” voicing her concerns about national sovereignty and the insult to the Filipino populace.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. justified the arrest, asserting it is a fulfillment of obligations to Interpol. Concurrently, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica, intends to file a habeas corpus petition to the Philippine Supreme Court, aiming to secure their father’s return. Salvador Panelo, a former legal advisor to Duterte, indicates they are organizing a legal team to ensure access and support for the former president.
Sara, previously impeached due to conflicts with Marcos Jr., labeled the accusations against her as part of a political vendetta. Despite a lack of specific charges from the ICC about her father, investigations into the actions taken during his presidency have been ongoing since 2018. The campaign against drugs was highlighted by numerous public comments endorsing lethal force against suspected offenders.
In an event reflecting societal tensions, candlelit vigils were organized shortly after Duterte’s arrest, featuring demonstrators advocating for justice for victims of his drug war and various forms of governance such as martial law. These actions indicate a deep division in public sentiment regarding the legacy of Duterte’s presidency.
Sara Duterte’s visit to The Hague underscores ongoing tensions surrounding her father’s arrest and potential trial for alleged human rights violations during his presidency. While the elder Duterte faces significant legal challenges, his daughter’s departure and the impeachment developments point to persistent political conflicts within Philippine leadership.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
