VP Sara testifies on Duterte’s arrest, calls it ‘patently illegal’

VICE President Sara Duterte appeared virtually before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations today, providing her perspective on the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The hearing, held on March 20, 2025, focused on the roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Interpol, and various Philippine government agencies in the incident.

VP Sara asserted that her father was “forced” into custody by the Philippine National Police upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, 2025.

She stated that he was detained at Villamor Air Base for nearly 12 hours before being flown to The Hague, Netherlands, on a private jet. She characterized the arrest as “patently illegal,” lacking a valid warrant issued by a Philippine court and violating due process.

VP Sara emphasized that a lawful arrest must be carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by a Filipino judge, ensuring due process and a legal basis. She argued that the arrest of her father did not meet these legal requirements.

The Vice President’s testimony highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the ICC’s jurisdiction and the legality of Duterte’s arrest. The ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, in 2019.

The Senate hearing continues to investigate the government’s response to the ICC warrant, seeking to clarify the roles of various agencies and the legal basis for the arrest. VP Sara’s testimony provides a crucial perspective from the family of the former president, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.