THE HAGUE — Vice President Sara Duterte said her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is entrusting his fate in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case to a higher power.
“He told me, ‘I leave it all to God. Whatever happens to me, so be it,’” Sara shared in an interview following her visit to the Hague Penitentiary Institution on Friday.
In response to a supporter’s vow not to surrender, Sara replied in Cebuano, “We will not surrender.”
The former president is facing charges of crimes against humanity tied to the bloody anti-drug campaign during his term. On March 11, Philippine authorities served him an ICC arrest warrant. While official police records cite around 6,000 deaths, human rights groups estimate as many as 30,000 were killed.
Duterte has consistently stood by his war on drugs, saying he acted to protect Filipinos and the nation. “I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do,” he previously told the Senate.
Since arriving in The Hague via charter jet, Duterte appeared before the ICC via video on March 14. His lead defense counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, praised Duterte as a skilled prosecutor who could even teach the court how to try cases.
Sara, a lawyer herself, said she’s able to follow legal discussions between her father and his legal team. She added that since their conversations are recorded and translated, they speak in coded Bisaya to protect legal strategy.
Only his lawyer can discuss confidential matters with him, due to privileged communication rules, she added.
Doctors have advised the former president to increase his physical activity, and security is being arranged for possible outdoor walks.
More members of the Duterte family are expected to arrive in The Hague for a gathering of supporters on March 23. This includes Duterte’s former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, son Paolo, and possibly Davao Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte after the May 12 elections. His partner Honeylet Avanceña and daughter Veronica “Kitty” may also visit.
Sara said her birthday wish for her father, who turns 80 on March 28, is simple: “Good health, comfort, and happiness.”
She plans to return to Davao before the midterm polls.