Vice President Sara Duterte travels to The Hague to support her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested on an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his drug war. She condemns the arrest as oppression, while her father’s legal team prepares to seek his rights. This event follows her own impeachment amid political strife in the Philippines.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is traveling to The Hague to assist her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, following his arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The former president is accused of crimes against humanity related to his controversial drug war, which resulted in thousands of deaths during his administration from 2016 to 2022. His arrest occurred at Manila airport prior to being flown to The Hague.
Sara Duterte publicly characterized her father’s arrest as ‘oppression’ and ‘persecution’. She stated, “This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation’s independence.” Her statement comes as she heads to Amsterdam to facilitate her father’s legal representation in the Netherlands.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr defended the process of her father’s extradition, asserting that it is part of the country’s commitments to Interpol. Meanwhile, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica, is preparing to file a habeas corpus request with the Philippine Supreme Court to seek her father’s return to the Philippines.
Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team plans to gather to discuss their next steps and determine the protocol for accessing the former president. Legal counsel Silvestre Bello noted their need to ascertain where Duterte will be held to provide necessary legal assistance and explore available legal options.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s visit to The Hague comes shortly after the Philippine lower house of Congress impeached her amid tensions with President Marcos Jr. The impeachment proceedings were initiated due to allegations of misconduct against her, which she has firmly denied, contending they stem from political motivations.
The ICC has been conducting an investigation into the alleged crimes during Duterte’s presidency since 2018. His administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign involved exhorting law enforcement to kill drug suspects freely, leading to official reports indicating over 7,000 fatalities.
Following the arrest, vigils were held by victims’ families, protesting against Duterte’s policies, including his notorious drug war and martial law in Mindanao, reflecting the public’s demand for justice and accountability.
In conclusion, Vice President Sara Duterte’s journey to The Hague underscores the significant legal challenges facing her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, concerning allegations of serious human rights abuses during his presidency. The Philippine government’s involvement and Sara’s statements reveal ongoing political tensions and public dissent toward past governmental actions. Meanwhile, the ICC’s investigation and the public response showcase the complexities of justice in the aftermath of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, further polarizing opinions within the country.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
