Vice President Sara Duterte travels to The Hague to assist her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested under an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity related to his drug war. Her statements frame the arrest as oppression, while President Marcos Jr. defends the government’s compliance with international obligations. Legally, efforts are underway to secure Duterte’s presence and rights. This occurs amidst Sara Duterte’s impeachment, reflecting heightened political tensions in the Philippines.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has embarked on a journey to The Hague to assist her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was apprehended under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This arrest stems from allegations of “crimes against humanity” related to his controversial drug war which reportedly resulted in numerous fatalities during his administration from 2016 to 2022.
After his arrest at Manila airport, Rodrigo Duterte was swiftly transported to The Hague. Sara Duterte, in an official statement, characterized her father’s situation as an act of “oppression,” asserting that his flight to the ICC is an egregious violation of Philippine sovereignty and an insult to the nation’s dignity.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended the decision to facilitate Duterte’s transfer to the ICC, indicating it was aligned with obligations owed to Interpol. In contrast, Veronica Duterte, Rodrigo’s youngest daughter, plans to file a habeas corpus petition to the Philippine Supreme Court to seek her father’s return, as expressed by Salvador Panelo, the former chief legal counsel to Duterte.
Additionally, legal representatives for Rodrigo Duterte are organizing to understand the nature of his continued detention and to determine access to him. Silvestre Bello, a former labor minister, emphasized the need for clarity regarding the ex-president’s location to enable legal representation effectively.
Sara Duterte’s trip to The Hague follows her recent impeachment by the Philippine lower house, amidst escalating tensions with President Marcos. This impeachment came after allegations of various wrongdoings circulated among lawmakers, many of whom are close allies of Marcos.
While the ICC has not disclosed specific charges against the former president, investigations into his potential crimes against humanity have been ongoing since 2018. During his presidential campaign, Rodrigo Duterte’s primary pledge was to combat crime, with his rhetoric often encouraging violent measures against drug suspects, leading to extensive fatalities verified by law enforcement records.
In reaction to his arrest, vigils were conducted by both family members of the victims of his drug war and various supporters, demanding justice amidst calls against his harmful policies during his governance.
In conclusion, Vice President Sara Duterte’s trip to The Hague signifies her commitment to supporting her father during his legal challenges with the ICC. Her description of his arrest as an affront to Philippine sovereignty highlights ongoing tensions regarding the assessment of past presidential actions. The developments surrounding Rodrigo Duterte’s potentially historic trial as the first Asian head of state at the ICC continue to unfold amid political strife within Philippine governance, raising profound issues of justice and accountability.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
