VP Sara Duterte says she will only face drug war accusations in PH court

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she will only face any accusations linking her to the Davao Death Squad before a Philippine court, amid the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into her father’s bloody war on drugs.

In a statement, Duterte said that she does not need a “death squad” for things that she could do herself, adding that it was only when she was elected Vice President that her name was linked to the controversial group. 

“Sa mga taon na nagsilbi ako bilang Vice Mayor at Mayor ng Davao City, ni minsan ay hindi napag-usapan o naiugnay ang aking pangalan sa umano’y Davao Death Squad. Subalit, matapos akong manalo bilang Vice President, bigla na lang nagkaroon ng testigo laban sa akin at ngayon ay kasama na ako sa mga akusado sa International Criminal Court,” she said. 

(Not once was my name discussed or linked to the alleged Davao Death Squad during my stint as Vice Mayor and Mayor of Davao City. However, when I won as Vice President, suddenly there was someone who testified against me, and now I’m one of the accused in the ICC.) 

“Hindi ko kailangan ng death squad para sa mga bagay na kaya kong gawin.”

(I don't need a death squad for things I can do.) 

Duterte said she will face the allegations against her, but not before the ICC. 

“Haharapin ko ang anumang akusasyon laban sa akin [I will face any accusation against me]. But I will only face any charge against me before a Filipino judge—and only before a Filipino court,” she said. 

This is the same assertion her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, made regarding the prospect of being tried before the ICC.

The Vice President also said that allowing the ICC to investigate in the Philippines would bring "shame" to the country and degrade its legal institutions.

“Hindi po ako lalahok o magiging parte ng isang prosesong hindi lamang magsasadlak sa kahihiyan sa bansa kundi dudurog din sa dignidad ng ating mga huwes, korte, at buong justice system ng Pilipinas,” Duterte said. 

(I will not participate or be part of a process that will not only bring shame to the country, but will also destroy the dignity of our judges, courts, and the entire justice system of the Philippines.) 

“Huwag nating ipahiya ang bansa sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa mga dayuhan na manghimasok at makialam sa Pilipinas. Ang kahiligan na magpailalim sa mga dayuhan ay sampal sa mga bayaning Pilipino na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay at lumaban para lang sa ating kalayaan,” she added.

(Let's not put the Philippines to shame around the world by allowing foreigners to interfere in our justice system. Submitting to foreigners is a slap to the Filipino heroes who gave their lives and fought for our freedom.) 

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said a warrant of arrest is expected to be issued soon against Rodrigo Duterte as well as other respondents in connection with the ICC investigation.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that he considers the ICC as a threat to Philippine sovereignty.

 His statement came after Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa called on him to confirm if he has allowed ICC investigators to enter the Philippines.

Dela Rosa earlier tagged himself as the “number 2 accused” in the ICC probe.

The ICC is investigating the Duterte administration's war on drugs, which has claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos.

In July 2023, the ICC Appeals Chamber denied the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the probe, saying the Philippines failed to prove that a legitimate investigation into the drug war killings and the prosecution of the perpetrators were being undertaken by Philippine authorities. — BM, GMA Integrated News